Everton starlet Anthony Gordon has not been himself since his club rejected interest from Chelsea over the summer, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor.

What's the word?

The winger was the subject of a £60m bid from Chelsea over the summer, which was rejected as Everton kept their academy product following the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur.

Gordon was an important figure as Everton survived a relegation scare, but has not hit his best form this season, and it is now being mooted that the failed summer transfer could be playing in his head.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Agbonlahor claimed that Gordon has not been himself since the failed bid, following Everton's dire home defeat to Brighton.

"You look at the problem with Anthony Gordon, since Chelsea were interested, you've not heard from Gordon," he stated.

"He's scored one or two goals in that time, he's been in and out of the team, with Lampard there's something going on there, maybe with the new contract talks."

A costly mistake?

Although the club were keen to keep Gordon during the summer, there is an argument to be made that this was a poor decision.

Given the hefty fees Chelsea were offering, as well as the potentially small budget Everton have to spend this January, selling Gordon could have given them the funds to invest in the rest of the team.

Whilst the Englishman is a promising talent, he has scored just three goals in 16 league games this season, and scored four in all competitions last campaign.

£60m could have been used to strengthen the defence, which has now shipped 24 goals in 18 games, as well as bringing in additional attackers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggling for goals.