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Will Anthony Gordon’s emergence mean the end for Kieran Dowell’s Everton career

Mathew Nash

Wed 13 November 2019 9:15, UK

Everton fans have recently been getting excited over the talents of young midfielder Anthony Gordon. The 18-year-old, who can play wide or through the middle, has been in sensational form for the under-23s and is looking like a potential future star for the Everton first-team. 

Of course, it is great news to hear that Everton have such a talented young player coming through the ranks. However, what might it mean to another Everton youngster who once had similar hype from the Toffees fanbase. 

There was a point a few years ago when every in-the-know Everton fan was raving about Kieran Dowell. He impressed in the Everton first-team at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and went on to shine in the Everton under-23 squad. The young playmaker also helped England under-20s win the World Cup in 2017. 

Marco Silva is also a fan. Speaking last November, when many were clamouring for Dowell to get a first-team chance,of his belief in the player’s talents.

“We believe in him, we renewed his contract and he has really good quality.”

Everton fans wanted to see him in the first-team but that opportunity never came. 

Loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United followed and this summer he headed out on loan again, this time to Derby County. 

The 22-year-old has struggled to establish himself at Pride Park and has played just 68 minutes in the Championship since the start of September. 

One thing Dowell always lacked, which many saw as his potential downfall, was pace. Gordon has that but also possesses the guile that Dowell is so highly praised for. 

With a new golden boy in town, it is hard to see how Dowell can find his way into the Everton first-team going forward. Perhaps his future is now best served away from Goodison Park.