When Anthony Gordon forced his way out of Everton, effectively going on strike for three days in January by refusing to turn up for training, he was always going to be on the receiving end of a particularly venomous reception when he returned to Goodison Park.
Gordon would have wanted to do so having shown the fans of his former club – who once adored him as “one of their own”, a local lad who had come through the academy – with a highlights reel for Newcastle United showing what they had lost.
That will not be the case. Gordon has started just two games the Saudi Arabia-owned club since his £40 million move three months ago, and has contributed very little so far.
That will have been noted on Merseyside and the 22-year-old can expect to be on the receiving end of some spite and vitriol when he takes on his former club. There will be a cauldron of emotions bubbling inside the stadium.
Telegraph Sport has spoken to manager Eddie Howe and sources behind the scenes to work out why Gordon has failed to break into the Newcastle team and what he needs to do to prove he is not going to turn into a transfer flop on Tyneside.
Why has Gordon struggled to break into the team?
Gordon may not have done much to grab attention in Newcastle colours other than throw a petulant strop when he was substituted, after himself coming on as a substitute, against Brentford earlier this month. However, it would be premature and harsh to say he has failed.
Indeed, his struggle to get into the starting XI can largely be explained by the fact he has joined a far better team than the one he left.
Howe also likes to ease new signings into things. Gordon joined in the middle of a successful campaign and has had to learn about a new club, new team-mates and a new way of playing.
Howe did not start Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes when he first arrived from Lyon last year, confining him to cameo appearances from the bench for a month until the midfielder was ready. Bruno is a far better, more experienced player than Gordon.
Nevertheless, Gordon has been largely underwhelming against both Manchester City and Aston Villa. On both occasions he started and Newcastle lost those games too.
That was not Gordon’s fault. He picked up an ankle injury – and played with it – at the Etihad Stadium and Newcastle’s collective display at Villa Park was arguably the worst of the campaign.
“No, I don’t think we have seen the best of Anthony Gordon,” said Howe. “There is more to come from him.
“We have seen glimpses of potential, glimpses of what he can do. He has got so many qualities. Putting it all together for 90 minutes we have not seen that yet. January transfers are incredibly difficult. An individual joining a new team, a totally new way of playing.
“For a young player to adjust to that isn’t easy. I am really pleased with him and I know he will be a high quality player for us in the future. I know he is going to be the right signing for us because of the way he has reacted to the move.”
Is Gordon really as high maintenance as his reputation suggests?
That angry reaction at Brentford, shoving his manager’s arm away as he tried to talk to Gordon as he left the pitch, has fuelled perceptions the 22-year-old is an immature, overly emotional young man with an inflated opinion of his ability and worth.
Having left Everton in unsavoury fashion – behaviour perceived selfish and petulant – and abandoning them in a relegation battle (even though the club were keen to raise funds to comply with Financial Fair Play rules in January) it was not the sort of behaviour likely to endear you to anyone.
However, Telegraph Sport understands that Gordon is already a popular member of the Newcastle squad – the fans like him too, regularly singing his name when he comes on – and has taken the transfer in his stride on a personal level.
Coaching staff have insisted he works hard in training, listens and wants to learn. Although not short on self-confidence, Gordon has given the impression he knows he has lots to improve and wants people to help him develop. He is lively, bubbly and extroverted, but Newcastle knew that when they signed him. It was one of the reasons they felt he would be a good fit.
Other than that incident at Brentford, which came in stoppage time when Newcastle were holding on to a slender lead away from home and were running down the clock, there have been no problems behind the scenes.
Interestingly, his second-half performance in west London was also probably his best in a Newcastle shirt.
Asked whether Gordon is the person people perceive him to be, on Merseyside and beyond, Howe replied: “[I’ve found him] totally different from the perception whatever that is. Certainly from the Everton side.
“He is diligent. Turns up early every day to work by himself. He has put some bulk on in the gym. He has been good on that side, very professional. He wants to stay after [training], do some work on aspects of his game. I see a player very committed to being a top footballer.”
So will Gordon be given a chance to shine against Everton and cope with the emotions of the occasion?
It is very unlikely Gordon will start unless there are injuries from the Tottenham game. Allan Saint-Maximin will not be involved, but Joelinton played superbly on the left last weekend and Jacob Murphy scored twice.
There are pure football reasons for Howe not to start Gordon at Goodison Park, but there are also wider considerations, such as the player’s temperament. If he does play some part in the game, he will have to control himself emotionally.
“It’s me trying to pick the best team to win the game,” Howe said. “Whether that includes Anthony or not. It’s not about Anthony having to prove anything to Everton – that would be the wrong way of looking at it.
“I have to pick a team that I think has the best tools to hurt them. I will always take the emotion out of the decision, you can never pick a team based on one player or what it might do for them.”
There is also a suspicion that Gordon could struggle to maintain his composure if, as expected, he is loudly abused by his former fans.
On whether he will have to be mindful on the hostile atmosphere, Howe replied: “Yes, definitely. But I don’t necessarily know what I can do about that to change it if that makes sense.
“You don’t want to have or do anything that impacts the team, which is the most important thing. This is something surrounding the game but is not influencing the game in terms of tactical preparation.
“It is very difficult for me to comment on what happened at Everton and the way Anthony left. He’s in a good place and he’s looking forward to the game.”
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