Last Word On Sports

Everton head south to face Tottenham Hotspur in their first away trip of the new Premier League season. The Toffees are coming off a disappointing performance at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and will look to get their season going against the Spurs. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the match that kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, August 24.

Everton Predicted Lineup For Match Against Tottenham

How Everton Have Lined Up

Everton have had an early injury crisis this term, resulting in a lineup that would be far from their best eleven for their season opener. Michael Keane and Ashley Young both started on the right side of the defence last match due to multiple injuries in the squad. James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko were the left-sided pairing, both key players in a defence that kept 13 clean sheets last time out.

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The duo of Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam started in the centre of midfield. The latter made just his second Premier League start of his career. The starting wingers were Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison, both first-choice players last season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line with Abdoulaye Doucoure playing off his shoulder in the second striker role. Both players are looking to improve on their output from the last match where they both heavily underperformed.

Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics

Everton’s curtain raiser resulted in a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton. In the match, Sean Dyche stayed consistent with his 4-2-3-1 formation despite the personal shortage. With an added suspension to Young, the team has no fit right-backs which could mean a change of formation.

The Toffees looked exciting in the early stages of the match, creating chances and playing balls in behind. A total of 7 offsides were recorded for the home team as they played with pace and attacking intent.

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Ultimately the Seagulls settled into the game and were able to pass around the defence for their first goal. The Toffees continued their poor record from last year where they were unable to get a result after conceding first.

They will have to be direct against a Tottenham team that plays a deliberate brand of football. A counter-attacking and long ball game style is often adopted by Everton against heavy-possession teams. They led the league in long pass attempts last season, Calvert-Lewin being the main focal point for these passes.

Everton Injuries To Consider

In this week’s press conference manager Sean Dyche outlined the injuries with the squad. The team are still without defenders Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and Jarrad Braithwaite. James Tarkowski is also in doubt and hasn’t trained with the squad throughout the week. James Garner has returned to training with the first-team squad but will not feature in this weekend’s match. Young is serving a one-match suspension due to a red card in last week’s fixture.

Everton’s Predicted Lineup

GK: Jordan Pickford

RB: Mason Holgate

CB: Michael Keane

CB: Jake O’Brien

LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko

CM: Idrissa Gueye

CM: Tim Iroegbunam

CAM: Abdoulaye Doucoure

LM: Dwight McNeil

RM: Jack Harrison

ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Tottenham Hotspur have already shifted some deadwood for significant revenue this summer, and look set to make some more in the coming days. Oliver Skipp is on his way to Leicester City for a permanent transfer, which will generate pure profit for Spurs as he is an academy graduate.

Tottenham Hotspur Make Impressive Profit on Oliver Skipp to Leicester City

Formal Steps Expected in Next 24 Hours

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Leicester will pay a hefty £20 million fixed fee for Skipp, with an extra £5 million in add-ons. This is an impressive profit considering the midfielder made just seven starts in all competitions last season.

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This deal will be completed with haste: marginal gains will be key in the Foxes’ relegation battle, so they will want their new player available against Fulham for Gameweek 2. Tottenham have authorised medical tests with the “contract to be signed” alongside formal steps in the next 24 hours.

How Can Oliver Skipp Help Leicester Avoid Relegation?

Steve Cooper must be worried about his midfield depth heading into this season. He only has three senior central midfielders in Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, and Boubakary Soumaré. His fourth and final midfielder is Michael Golding who is 18 and newly joined from Chelsea. Skipp joining will greatly bolster their depth.

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It’s yet to be seen which of the three mentioned midfielders will be dropped for the 23-year-old. Winks was a big part of last season’s promotion, whilst Ndidi played big minutes. Soumaré was out on loan last year, so could well be benched. It does seem likely that Skipp will start after costing them £20 million. With 106 matches for Spurs, he will provide good experience as well.

Tottenham Hotspur are into their second Premier League campaign under manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian must aim for Champions League qualification after narrowly missing out to Aston Villa last term. This is our predicted lineup for Tottenham’s showdown against the newly promoted side of Leicester City.

Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Against Newly Promoted Leicester City

How Tottenham Have Lined Up Recently

Spurs’ preseason has been characterised by some interesting lineup choices under Ange Postecoglou. In their 2-3 loss against Bayern Munich, the starting eleven featured Guglielmo Vicario in goal, with Pedro Porro and Djed Spence coming in as full-backs. Ben Davies partnered up with new signing Radu Dragusin who missed the early parts of the club’s preseason on holiday after participating in Euro 2024 with Romania.

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The midfield was anchored by Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, with English midfielder James Maddison who notably wasn’t included in England’s Euros squad. Dejan Kulusevski, club captain Son Heung-min, and Brennan Johnson formed the attacking trio. Postecoglou made a complete team change at half-time to ensure the involvement of more key players like Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Rodrigo Bentacur, Micky Van de Ven, Mikey Moore, and notably Oliver Skipp who has been linked with a Spurs exit, with medicals booked for Leicester City.

Tottenham’s Recent Form and Tactics

Spurs’ recent form has been a mix of promising performances and tactical adjustments under Postecoglou. The team has shown a shift towards more high-pressing and proactive tactics, aiming to regain possession in the opposition’s half. This approach reflects a broader trend in the Premier League, where high pressing has become increasingly popular.

Tottenham’s preseason matches have seen them adopt a more aggressive and dynamic style of play. Postecoglou has emphasised a high-pressing game, with the team working collectively to win the ball back quickly. This tactic aims to disrupt the opposition’s build-up play and create scoring opportunities from turnovers. Tottenham have primarily lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows them to control possession and create width through full-backs Porro and Udogie.

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This formation also provides flexibility, enabling quick transitions from defense to attack. The midfield pairing of Bissouma and Sarr has provided stability and control, allowing the team to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. Maddison’s creativity and vision has also been instrumental in linking the midfield with the attack, and new signing Dominic Solanke’s addition to the team would mean that he would start moving Son Heung-Min to his preferred position on the left wing, giving him the freedom to take on defenders. It will be interesting to see who Postecoglou would place on the right between Kulusevski and Johnson.

Tottenham Injuries and Suspension to Consider

A “top performer” last season, Bissouma has been suspended by Spurs for their opening game against Leicester after he filmed himself inhaling laughing gas. Richarlison, who has been eased back to full training over the last few weeks, is back available for selection after not featuring through pre-season. Another long-term absentee, in goalkeeper Fraser Forster, is also training with the squad after recovering from a foot injury.

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Postecoglou further commented on his players: “Obviously, players like Richy and Fraser are the last two into the training group so they’ve had a good week of training but no game time. They are training which is the main thing and everyone seems to be in good condition”.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup Vs Leicester City

GK: Guglielmo Vicario

RB: Pedro Porro

CB: Radu Dragusin

CB: Ben Davies

LB: Destiny Udogie

CM: Pape Matar Sarr

CM: Rodrigo Bentacur

CM: James Maddison

LW: Son Heung-Min

ST: Dominic Solanke

RW: Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham Hotspur have created a plan regarding the future of Djed Spence, who joined the club two years ago. His time has not been majorly successful either in North London or out on loan, with reports of “issues with his attitude”.

Ange Postecoglou Wants Djed Spence to Stay at Tottenham Hotspur

Set to be Pedro Porro Backup

Alasdair Gold has revealed that Postecoglou has a “plan” for Spence this season. The right-back will play as first backup to Pedro Porro, with Archie Gray also able to provide cover if needed. The Australian clearly has confidence in the 24-year-old, starting him at left-back in their final two pre-season friendlies, both against Bayern Munich.

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This news comes after various links to other right-backs, including Vanderson from Monaco and Issa Kabore (former Luton Town loanee) from Manchester City. However, Gold has dispelled these rumours and confirmed that Tottenham will go into the season with Porro and Spence as their right-backs.

Is Djed Spence Strong Enough Depth for Tottenham Hotspur?

After Emerson Royal’s departure, there are only two natural right-backs at Tottenham. However, Porro is a very talented player, and so will not need to be replaced due to quality during the Premier League season. Furthermore, the Spaniard has not been very injury-prone for Spurs (starting 35 in the league last campaign), though in 2021/22 he did spend numerous periods out for Sporting Lisbon.

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Playing in the Europa League this season will suit Spence well: he should thrive against lower-quality European sides. Furthermore, these minutes should help his development and regain his confidence and form from his time at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

If Porro stays fit, keeping Spence to play minutes in cup competitions is a great idea. However, given Porro’s importance to Postecoglou’s side, it seems that an injury would leave Spurs too weak in that area and potentially derail their season.

Reports have emerged this morning stating that Bournemouth and Tottenham have agreed a deal for the transfer of Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham Hotspur Close to Sealing Dominic Solanke Signing; Bournemouth Preparing for Record Departure

Reporters Finally on the Same Page

These reports come after a wave of contradicting information from various news outlets, but this time everyone appears to be pulling in the right direction.

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The primary focus for Bournemouth this summer has been incomings, but this was a deal that won’t come as a surprise to Bournemouth fans. After Solanke’s 19-goal Premier League season, there was bound to be interest from clubs competing in Europe. The one-time England international has his sights set on returning to the national team setup.

Club Record Fee, for Both Sides!

David Ornstein has revealed that a club record sale has been agreed by Bournemouth with Spurs. Personal terms are in place and Solanke is “desperate” for the transfer.

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The £65 million release clause in Solanke’s contract has put a lot of other clubs off; the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all held interest at points. Now it looks as though Daniel Levy has agreed to make Solanke his record signing, should the deal amount to more than the €62 million they paid for Tanguy Ndombele. Alex Crook confirmed this theory, stating that it was likely to be a club-record deal both for Spurs as an incoming, and for Bournemouth as an outgoing.

Who’s the Dominic Solanke Replacement?

Bournemouth have been linked with many targets this window including Tammy Abraham, Eddie Nketiah and Cameron Archer.

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It has been revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Federico Chiesa from Juventus. The Italian winger played at Euro 2024 but struggled to rediscover the excellent form that he hit at the same tournament three years prior.

Tottenham Hotspur in Talks for Federico Chiesa

Concrete Interest but No Concrete Negotiations as of Yet

Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Tottenham have a “concrete interest” in Chiesa. “First talks” with the player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, have begun, though there have been “no concrete negotiations at this stage”.

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This comes after Fabrizio Romano revealed that both the club and new manager Thiago Motta have approved his exit this summer. The Bianconeri want to sell the player to help make a profit and meet financial regulations. With Chiesa’s contract expiring in a year, Juventus want around £20 million. Other European outfits like Bayern Munich had previously had him on their shortlists.

How Can Federico Chiesa Bolster Tottenham’s Squad?

Spurs have already signed another left-winger in Min-hyuk Yang this summer, though the 18-year-old will spend the next six months in South Korea. For the next few years, a high-quality player in that position could be a big improvement to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

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Though Son Heung-min had previously played on the left, he has moved to a striker role following Harry Kane‘s departure. Timo Werner and Richarlison have both underwhelmed, and Brennan Johnson is not of the highest level to take Tottenham to Champions League football.

It has been revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Federico Chiesa from Juventus. The Italian winger played at Euro 2024 but struggled to rediscover the excellent form that he hit at the same tournament three years prior.

Tottenham Hotspur in Talks for Federico Chiesa

Concrete Interest but No Concrete Negotiations as of Yet

Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Tottenham have a “concrete interest” in Chiesa. “First talks” with the player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, have begun, though there have been “no concrete negotiations at this stage”.

Read More: ‘Personal Terms Agreed’: Tottenham Hotspur To Sell Player With ‘Big Reputation’

This comes after Fabrizio Romano revealed that both the club and new manager Thiago Motta have approved his exit this summer. The Bianconeri want to sell the player to help make a profit and meet financial regulations. With Chiesa’s contract expiring in a year, Juventus want around £20 million. Other European outfits like Bayern Munich had previously had him on their shortlists.

How Can Federico Chiesa Bolster Tottenham’s Squad?

Spurs have already signed another left-winger in Min-hyuk Yang this summer, though the 18-year-old will spend the next six months in South Korea. For the next few years, a high-quality player in that position could be a big improvement to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

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Though Son Heung-min had previously played on the left, he has moved to a striker role following Harry Kane‘s departure. Timo Werner and Richarlison have both underwhelmed, and Brennan Johnson is not of the highest level to take Tottenham to Champions League football.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Bryan Gil is moving closer to completing his desired move to La Liga side, Girona. This comes as little surprise, with Gil playing just 233 minutes last season and struggling to impress during his time in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur to Cut Losses With Bryan Gil

Bryan Gil Has His ‘Heart Set’ on Girona

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that “personal terms have been agreed” between Gil and Manchester City’s sister club, Girona. The player reportedly has “his heart set on a move” to the Spanish side, which is unsurprising. The minnows finished an impressive third in La Liga last season and will be playing Champions League football this year, unlike Spurs.

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Gil’s camp has informed the hierarchy that he wants to join Girona “at all costs”. There are negotiations between the clubs, with “talks still ongoing”. The Spaniard, alongside his fellow countryman Sergio Reguilon, was granted permission to not travel on the pre-season tour as he explores transfer opportunities.

What Can He Bring to Girona?

Girona is an exciting destination for the player, but the club will be pleased with the arrival as well. Savio’s transfer to Manchester City this summer is a big loss, with the Brazilian contributing ten assists and nine goals in La Liga last campaign – second-highest at the club.

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Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on Min-hyuk Yang, a young South Korean prodigy. He would be their third signing this summer, after securing the signatures of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

Tottenham Hotspur Completing Agreement for Min-hyuk Yang

Min-hyuk Yang to Receive Dream Move

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Yang, an 18-year-old winger who plays for Gangwon FC and South Korea’s U17 side. The player has been described as a “promising asset”, scoring seven goals in his 24 senior matches since December.

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Romano reports that there is an “agreement being completed” with “medical tests to follow”. The player will sign permanently this summer but will stay at Gangwon for a six-month loan until January.

Can Min-Hyuk Yang Be the Solution to Tottenham’s Long-Term Problems?

Born in 2006, should Yang reach his potential he could be in North London for many years. With fellow South Korean, Heung-Min Son, ageing at 32-years-old, Spurs must be looking for a long-term replacement. They’ve coped relatively well with the loss of club legend and captain Harry Kane, but losing their other talisman and attacking focal point could be detrimental.

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Timo Werner has returned to RB Leipzig, whilst Richarlison and Brennan Johnson haven’t reached their expected potential yet. Dejan Kulusevski has been a bright spark, but Tottenham will need some fresh attacking threat to sustain their progress over the next few years.

Yang would particularly suit Ange Postecoglou’s system as he has been integral to the high-press at his current club, making an impressive 3.5 recoveries in the opposition half per 90 minutes. Furthermore, he is versatile, able to play on either wing – though it seems likely that he would play on the left at Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur have left out Sergio Reguilon and Bryan Gil from the official pre-season tour squad as they have been permitted to explore prospective transfer opportunities this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. La Liga side Girona are reportedly interested in the young winger.

Sergio Reguilon and Bryan Gil Set to Depart from Tottenham

Bryan Gil’s Journey

The 23-year-old Spanish winger, Bryan Gil, was described as “clever” by former Spurs head coach Antonio Conte. He is set to leave the club this summer after being given permission to explore transfer opportunities instead of travelling on tour with the team.

Gil joined Tottenham from Sevilla in the summer of 2021 for £21.6 million. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he has struggled to secure a consistent starting position due to tough competition within the squad. As a result, both the player and the club have agreed that it’s best for him to seek regular playing time elsewhere.

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Following this decision, La Liga club Girona has shown interest in securing the winger’s services. Romano confirmed that Girona had internally discussed with the North London side regarding Gil’s transfer in the late hours of July 22nd, shortly after the duo were officially left out of the pre-season tour squad.

What Does Gil’s Move Mean for Both Clubs’ Future?

This potential move to Girona could benefit all involved parties. Girona recently lost Brazilian winger Savio to Manchester City, creating a need for a creative replacement to support Artem Dovbyk up front. This is where Gil comes in.

The Spaniard has experience in La Liga, having started his professional career in Seville, making him the perfect fit to fill the void in Girona’s left wing. This move could also provide more playing time for the 23-year-old and an opportunity to further develop his skills.

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For Postecoglou’s side, it would open up a slot in the squad and potentially bring in funds that can be reinvested in other areas of the team. This transfer aligns with the club’s summer transfer strategy, focusing on optimizing the squad for the upcoming season.

Sergio Reguilon’s Journey

The 27-year-old left-back, who was also granted permission to explore transfer opportunities, joined the club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020 for £32 million. Real’s head coach at the time, Zinedine Zidane, stated that Reguilon ‘earned’ the move after a previous loan spell at Sevilla but couldn’t keep him due to too much competition in his position.

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The Spaniard’s time in the Premier League has been marked by moments of excellence, but like Gil, he has found it challenging to maintain a consistent place in the starting eleven. Reguilon has also enjoyed loan spells with Manchester United and, most recently, Brentford.

With the arrival of manager Ange Postecoglou back in July 2023, the Lilywhites have undergone tactical changes by bringing the likes of Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro, and with Reguilon, who’s probably not going to fit into the system, a move away from the London club makes perfect sense.

Spurs Transfer Strategy

One of the key aspects of Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfers strategy is to maintain financial flexibility. By potentially offloading Gil and Reguilon, the club could free up significant wage space and secure transfer fees that can be reinvested into the squad.

This financial flexibility is crucial for Tottenham, especially in a transfer market where player valuations are at an all-time high.

Tottenham would have the opportunity to reinforce key areas of the squad. The funds generated from these transfers could be used to bring in players who better fit the tactical vision of Ange Postecoglou. Whether it’s bolstering the defense, adding creativity in midfield, or securing a reliable backup striker, the summer transfers are likely to be targeted and strategic.