Chelsea: Tuchel is ‘definitely driving’ £50m deal at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is the one ‘driving’ the deal for Everton winger Anthony Gordon, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The German tactician has been handed more responsibility over transfers by new owner Todd Boehly, and has already brought in the likes of Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling this summer.

A recent report from The Times claimed that Chelsea are contemplating returning to Everton with a £50 million offer for Gordon after their initial approach was turned down.

And in a recent press conference, Toffees manager Frank Lampard admitted that he cannot give any assurances over whether the England Under-21 international will remain at Goodison Park beyond the summer.

“You can’t ask me to assure anything – that would be naïve of me to assure anything,” said the 44-year-old tactician.

“Selling players, just as it is with bringing players in, it has to be a joined up say so. When you’re talking about the level of player Anthony is and the value of player, we know what those kind of players go for.”

Gordon still has three years remaining on his current £10,000-per-week contract, and with the offer of fresh terms also on the table, Chelsea may have to pay a substantial fee to prise him away from Merseyside.

Phillips believes that Gordon is on Tuchel’s radar largely due to his versatility having turned out in several positions already throughout his short career for boyhood club Everton.

He told GiveMeSport: “It’s Tuchel who’s definitely driving it again. And I think he’s looking at the fact that Gordon can play as a right-wing back as well as a right winger and also in the nine.

“So, that’s three positions that Tuchel wants to sign players in in the remaining two weeks of this window.