Idrissa Gueye dropped, James Garner first start – Everton predicted XI v Tottenham
Idrissa Gueye is predicted to drop out of the Everton team to face Tottenham on Sunday and be replaced by James Garner for a first start.
The Senegal international was an important signing to bring back from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, but has made errors leading to goals in both of the last two games as he attempts to get back up to speed with the Premier League.
Garner arrived at the same time but had to wait a fair bit longer to make his Toffees debut, as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday (9 October), where he showed some encouraging signs against his old club and impressed his manager in a situation which Frank Lampard admitted would have added extra pressure, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday (13 October).
Anthony Gordon picked up his fifth yellow card in that game, meaning his will be suspended for Spurs, and while Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his first appearance of the season off the bench against United, Lampard has said that he still isn’t training every day, so a first start seems unlikely and Dwight McNeil is likely to come in.
The summer signing from Burnley has had a slow start to life at Everton, but may have felt himself slightly unlucky to drop to the bench for the previous game anyway, having smashed home the winner against Southampton for his first goal on 1 October.
Jordan Pickford is sure to be in goal, behind three of the regular back four, Vitalii Mykolenko, James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, with captain Seamus Coleman continuing to fill in for the injured Nathan Patterson.
With Gueye predicted to miss out this time, Amadou Onana could play a more defensive role having had some weeks now to grow accustomed to the Premier League.
Alex Iwobi is certain to be included due to his importance under Lampard, with a new contract in the works, while Garner is tipped to build on his cameo with a first start to complete the midfield three.
Demarai Gray should be on one wing, with McNeil taking Gordon’s place on the other, while Neal Maupay is likely to keep his starting spot for now with Calvert-Lewin still not back to full fitness.
The England striker would be a major help to the two wide men, but having suffered so many set backs over the last year it is clear that Lampard doesn’t want to rush things with him.