Son Heung-min and Tottenham could deepen Everton’s problems on Saturday

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing in full swing for their second game of the 2024/25 Premier League season—a home fixture against Everton on Saturday. Big Ange’s side will be determined to bounce back and get their first win of the new season after Monday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The Lilywhites must dust themselves down quickly and get ready for the challenge of Everton, who were beaten fair and square 3-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park. So, Sean Dyche too will be desperate to seek a response from his boys.

However, the Toffees have a lot of injuries to contend with heading into Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, especially in their backline. They have been dealt a further blow as centre-back James Tarkowski faces a race against time to be fit owing to a hamstring concern. He has not trained this week and is set to be evaluated on Friday during the final preparations for the game.

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Tarkowski missing out with a slight hamstring niggle would be a further blow to Sean Dyche, who is already without his centre-back partner Jarrad Branthwaite after undergoing surgery for a groin problem.

The main worry for him is at the right-back position; Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson have already been ruled out of the start of the season with their respective issues as well as James Garner, who has operated on the right side of defence for Everton. In addition, Ashley Young is suspended for the Spurs game after being sent off for pulling back Kaoru Mitoma as the last man.

Kaoru Mitoma, playing on the left for Brighton, tormented Young at right-back and other Everton defenders with his pace, directness and unpredictability. The Japanese was a pest throughout his time on the pitch and also had opened the scoring in Brighton’s 3-0 win at Goodison Park.

With Everton devoid of any natural right-back heading into the game in north London, Spurs will be looking to exploit that area of the pitch via skipper Son Heung-min. Ange Postecoglou handed summer signing Dominic Solanke his official debut against Leicester City, with Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson supporting the English striker from wide areas.

Son and Johnson, along with creator-in-chief James Maddison, linked up expertly with Solanke in the final third and caused several problems to the Leicester defence. As Everton are expected to have a patched-up defence without the services of a regular right-back, Son could enjoy a lot of joy down that flank for Spurs.

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The £190k-per-week star could terrify the Toffees’ rearguard with his movement, creativity, link-up play and guile. Following a disappointing individual second-half performance at the King Power Stadium, the Spurs captain will be raring to put in a more consistent display and guide his club to all three points.

Given Dyche side’s teething problems at the back, there is no better time for Son and Co. to host Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.