Anthony Gordon says the sound of Evertonians belting out his name sparks a “crazy feeling inside”.
Supporters’ admiration for Gordon is growing with every fearless performance from a 21-year-old who has latterly gained an additional fan in manager Frank Lampard.
Gordon is expected to start his eighth straight game under Lampard when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Goodison Park on Sunday – and the forward is the subject of an extensive feature interview in Everton’s matchday programme for the Premier League fixture.
The Academy graduate, who joined the Club aged 11 and has 46 senior appearances, outlines multiple elements of an explosive game where there is scope for improvement.
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And he is forthcoming on the adulation of fans who first aired their chant for the player as he was replaced following a sterling effort in the draw with Manchester United in October.
The noise hasn’t abated since, with Gordon’s name loudly rolling around stadiums up and down the country over the past five months.
“When I went to the bench at Old Trafford, I said to Jonjoe [Kenny], ‘Did you hear them singing my name’,” says Gordon.
“He said, ‘Yes, because you played boss’.
“I couldn’t believe it.
“There are no words to tell you how happy that support makes me feel. It is just boss, a crazy feeling inside. Unreal.
“My family love it because so many people out in public are treating me so nicely and saying good things.
“The other players joke with me, saying, ‘Fans favourite’.
“But they tell me it is really impressive.
“And it is, some of the videos I am sent after games are unreal.
“It is more than I could have wished for and I will never be able to thank the supporters enough.
“But I will try my best by taking responsibility and trying to put in good performances.”
Gordon is enjoying his longest stretch in Everton’s team, by far, exceeding the three successive games he started back in November.
That trio of appearances began with Gordon completing 90 Premier League minutes for the first time, in a scoreless draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The picture has changed in the intervening period, Gordon no longer content to retain his starting place but aiming for match-defining contributions.
And the bright-as-a-button attacker is sourcing help from Assistant Manager Joe Edwards to increase his numbers in front of goal.
“I need to improve what leads up to the goals and assists,” said Gordon, who also points to his set-piece delivery as an area for attention.
“Joe has been trying to get me to go really quick, really quick, then slow down at the last second.
“To add that bit of composure, to finish the chance.
“I always feel dangerous in a game and know defenders don’t like playing against me.
“Then it is down to me to have that bit of composure and knowledge in the final third, to calm myself down and make the right decision.
“There are subtle changes for every game. I play against different full-backs, with different attributes, and I have to exploit the weaknesses.
“I study clips of players doing well against them and try to replicate that.
“If they struggle with wingers inside, I go inside, and if they struggle with a winger going wide and running in behind, I will do that.”
Gordon’s dead-ball striking, he insists “needs to massively improve”.
“At the minute, probably about one in three are good," added Gordon. "It should be two in three, at least.
“I am constantly practising and trying to establish a routine I can rely on, no matter what happens.”
The latest issue includes an exclusive interview with former Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell, currently in Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers, notes from manager Frank Lampard and CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale and all the usual player features and Club news.
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