By Noel Whelan

27th Jan, 2023 | 8:00pm

Pundit shreds Anthony Gordon for 'lack of respect to Everton teammates' as new details emerge

Noel Whelan has slammed Anthony Gordon for “turning his back” on boyhood club Everton as he puts the finishing touches to a £45million Newcastle United move.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the transfer saga surrounding the 21-year-old will inflame tensions between Toffees players and the Goodison Park faithful.

Everton accepted a £45m bid from Newcastle for Gordon on Friday that will be paid in a single instalment and help ease the Merseyside club’s money worries.

This came after Gordon told Everton he wanted to leave the club before the January window shut and missed multiple days of training before handing in a transfer request.

The winger returned to Finch Farm on Friday (27 January) but will not play for the club again as Sean Dyche prepares to take the helm at Goodison Park.

Football Insider revealed on Friday that Dyche has an agreement in principle to succeed sacked manager Frank Lampard.

Gordon, who was the subject of interest from Chelsea and Tottenham last summer (2022), has notched three goals in 18 appearances this season.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t condone this from any player.

“He’s supposedly grown up an Evertonian, loves the club, supported them from the stands.

“This is the last thing you would expect from a player.

“They’re desperately trying to stay up and get the fans back on side. This won’t help the situation.

“One of their own has turned their back on them just when he should be digging in to help them.

“I’m really surprised that he’s gone and done this. You see it from the likes of Ronaldo, but no one likes to see it.

“It shows a lack of respect to his teammates, the fans, and the owners.”

In other news, pundit claims Everton youngster could be handed unexpected role after source’s reveal.