Everton boss Frank Lampard has said Chelsea have missed the opportunity to sign young forward Anthony Gordon.
The 21-year-old has been in sensational form for the Toffees this season, and has scored twice for Everton this season.
For Lampard, Gordon is a key player at the club and Everton thinks highly of him.
The transfer window closes on Thursday night at 11pm, and Lampard has said it would be too late for Chelsea to snap up the winger, as the deadline they set for a likely sale is over.
“Anthony is too important a player,” said Lampard.
“He has showed his worth in the last two games, it is too late. He is going to be special. In the bigger picture, he has an affiliation with the fans. It is a process, can we build around that?
“The interest in him is because he is a top player and why we are so keen to keep him. You saw the reasons why (we think so highly of him) in the last two games. He is our player, he has come through he is a v good player and will get better and better.
“Adding goals is the next step and the hardest step. He is a special player for me. I am delighted.”