Everton-Leeds United Preview

Everton manager Frank Lampard has no concerns over Anthony Gordon refusing to play in order to force through an exit, amid continued speculation over a move to Chelsea.

Chelsea are reported to have already had multiple offers knocked back for the 21-year-old, the most recent of which was said to be worth £45million.

Lampard's former side Chelsea could yet make another approach prior to Thursday's deadline, with boss Thomas Tuchel hinting he is hopeful of further additions.

While Wesley Fofana has been overlooked for selection by Leicester City ahead of a move to Chelsea, Lampard does not expect any such problems from Gordon, who scored in a 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday.

"Anthony wouldn't, shouldn't, couldn't do that with me. If he did try and sit out a game he'd see a different side to me," Lampard told reporters. "There's no doubt about that and I think he knows that.

"I'm not playing the hard one - it's just that it would be so alien from what I'd expect from him. I just know that's not him.

"At the same time he's not a robot and all this attention is difficult. I understand that - I was that ambitious young player.

"That's the beauty of Anthony. He's hard working and he wants to be better. He wants to do what he did (on Saturday), which is score goals, run for this team, and that's why he's a delight to work with. So there was never any idea that Anthony would act that way."

Everton face Leeds on Tuesday, with the Whites five points better off than their opponents after four games.

"They defend very well, they don't give much away," said Leeds boss Jesse Marsch. "They're good on the counter. So it sets up to be a dangerous game for us."

Leeds United - Rodrigo

Following his goals at Elland Road against Wolves and Chelsea, Rodrigo is looking to become the first Leeds player to score in their first three home league games in a season since Luciano Becchio in 2012-13 and first in the top-flight since Lee Chapman in 1992-93.

Everton - Anthony Gordon

Gordon has had 11 of Everton's 23 shots on target in the Premier League this season (48 per cent) and is looking to find the net in consecutive top-flight appearances for the first time.

- After losing his first three meetings with Leeds in all competitions, and his sides netting just one goal, Lampard has won his last three against the Whites by an aggregate score of 10-3. His first league victory with the Toffees came against Leeds, 3-0 in February last season.

- Everton have failed to win any of their opening four Premier League games this season (D2 L2). The Toffees have only had longer winless starts to two Premier League campaigns, in 1994-95 (12 games) and 2010-11 (six).

- Leeds have won consecutive home Premier League matches for a fourth time since returning to the top-flight in 2020. The Whites haven't won three in a row at Elland Road at this level since a run of five between April and August 2001.

- Following a 36-game unbeaten home league run against Everton between 1953 and 2001 (W28 D8), Leeds have lost two of their last four at Elland Road against the Toffees (D2).

- Everton have won five of their last eight league games against Leeds (D2 L1), more than they had in their previous 24 against the Whites (W4 D10 L10).

Updated August 29, 2022