Moyes to axe Calvert-Lewin in two changes – Everton predicted XI v Tottenham
David Moyes could look to axe Dominic Calvert-Lewin from his Everton starting XI when his side hosts Tottenham in the Premier League.
The 61-year-old was visibly irate with his forward as he missed a golden opportunity to salvage a point in the dying embers of the 1-0 loss against Aston Villa on Wednesday (15 January).
Calvert-Lewin is now goalless in his last 16 Premier League outings for the Toffees, and with the weight of constant transfer speculation clearly weighing heavily on his shoulders, he should be removed from the firing line.
Evertonians will be eager to see how Moyes fares against top-level opposition at Goodison Park on Sunday (19 January) and he could hand Jesper Lindstrom an unlikely start after his pin-point cross was spurned by Calvert-Lewin last time out.
Everton to axe Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jack Harrison v Tottenham
While most of the Blues squad face uncertain futures following Moyes’ arrival, the same cannot be said for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who will be expected to resume his duties between the sticks.
Ashley Young should return at right-back, while Seamus Coleman continues to help with coaching during his spell on the sidelines. Vitaliy Mykolenko will line up on the opposite side.
Moyes will likely keep faith with the central defensive pairing of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski to ensure stability while question marks continue to linger around Jake O’Brien’s place in the squad.
Although James Garner is nearing a return from his lengthy injury layoff, the Englishman is still a while away before he can be considered for selection. Therefore, Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala will be expected to be called upon once again.
Jack Harrison’s continued inclusion in the starting lineup is a sight to behold amid his underwhelming second loan spell at Goodison Park. His efforts have fallen far below the required standard, and with a return to Leeds United mooted, Lindstrom should be given the chance to prove his impact against Aston Villa was no fluke.
Everton have not looked the same since Dwight McNeil’s injury, and while Abdoulaye Doucoure has filled the void in his absence, the gulf in quality is damning. Nevertheless, the Englishman is no closer to a return, so Doucoure is expected to line up behind the striker against Spurs.
Iliman Ndiaye had arguably his worst outing in an Everton shirt against Aston Villa, but he is well and beyond one of the most gifted players in the squad and should continue to be selected on a weekly basis.
Finally, Calvert-Lewin has done nothing to warrant the continued faith of the Toffees. Ian Darke, speaking to Goodison News, described his goal returns as “lousy” for a player playing week in and week out, and Moyes must send a message and hand an opportunity to Beto, who scored in his last appearance in the 2-0 win against Peterborough United (9 January).
In other Everton news, a Matheus Cunha transfer revelation has emerged at the Blues.
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