Everton’s summer transfer business has got a lot of people talking and with good reason, they have added quality in their midfield with Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and the biggest name of the 3 James Rodriguez from Spanish Giants Real Madrid. After finishing in the bottom half last season, expectations are high at Goodison park after these marquee signings. Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has an excellent record in the Premier league previously will be looking to catapult Everton into the Top 6 this campaign.
As is the case with other teams at the start of this season, the injury list is long. Of the new signings only Allan has been declared match fit while James and Doucoure will be featured later on in the season as soon as they are fit.
Tottenham Hotspur host Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton tomorrow, with both clubs looking forward to having a positive start to the season. The players on both teams would be gearing up for what is set to be a really competitive game on matchday one.
Mason Holgate suffered an injury in Everton’s friendly against Preston North End, and he may not be fit to feature. The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Fabian Delph will not be fit for this weekend’s fixture.
Here is how a new look Everton side might lineup away at Tottenham:
Ancelotti preferred a 4-4-2 system at Napoli and that might be the case here as he looks to accommodate former Napoli midfielder Allan. It would be a smooth formation to play especially against a Mourinho. The formation will also help Everton recover shape when they lose the ball, as this system is better suited to transitional plays.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford has been the first choice keeper for the Toffees for the past Two seasons and there is no reason that he won’t start the first game of the season. Although he was heavily criticized for some costly errors right before the Lockdown.
Defense: Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne is probably the first name in the Everton defense whenever he is fit, his crossing and set piece ability will cause problems for the Spurs backline. Digne will start at Left back, while Seamus Coleman will be the starting right back. There will be a lot of responsibility on Coleman to captain the side against a threatening Spurs attack. At the heart of the defense Yerry Mina and Keane will start and they will be expected to win all the Aerial Duels with Mina being a threat in the opposition box as well.
Midfield: Gordon, Allan, Andre Gomes, Theo Walcott
The two holding Midfielders will be Allan and Andre Gomes, the two best players in the Everton team when it comes to passing range and pass completion. The two also have a good reading of the game and Ancelotti would want them to start pulling the strings in midfield right from the start. Walcott and Teenager Anthony Gordon might both play as wingers, however they will be asked to drop back to support the midfield and defense both in and out of position. Walcott has shown in the past how lethal he can be if he is allowed enough space to run in behind. Alternatively Bernard’s pace and skills will be the outlet that they need in tight areas in midfield and could feature as part of a front three if Everton go for a 4-3-3.
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
Richarlison was sharp in the pre-season games for the Toffees and is most likely to start, he would bring a lot of goals to the Everton attack and his pace is a constant threat to spurs. While Dominic Calvert-Lewin who received heaps of praise from Everton Boss Carlo Ancelotti last season should start up front alongside the Brazilian.
Everton will be keen on avenging their Narrow away defeat against Tottenham last season, in what is set to be an exciting game on Sunday. A win on the opening day would make a huge statement immediately silence the doubters and put Everton in prime position for the next few games of the season. After making a statement in the transfer market Everton must now do it on the pitch.
