Roberto De Zerbi may have some difficult selection decisions in the middle of the park as Tottenham prepare to host Everton in their second home league game of the season.
The Tottenham boss went for a workmanlike midfield at the City Ground, and one can argue it worked as the Lilywhites matched Nottingham Forest’s intensity and emerged with a clean sheet.
In fact, after the game, De Zerbi praised Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali for their performance, remarking that the trio had a ‘great game’.
However, Spurs struggled to create chances and looked short of quality in the final third, and the Italian may thus have to make one change in the middle of the park to improve his side’s creativity.
Mateus Fernandes has been Tottenham’s most creative player this season
According to FotMob, Mateus Fernandes has created five chances for Spurs this season, by far the most, despite starting just one of their three league matches so far.
The Portuguese international also leads the table for ‘big chances’, having fashioned two so far, while Andy Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Mathys Tel and Savio have created one each.
What is telling is that Gallagher has not created a single chance for the Lilywhites despite starting as a number 10 in two of the three league games so far.
The numbers clearly suggest that Fernandes would be the more effective option for the number 10 role on Saturday as Spurs go in search of their first league goal and win of the campaign.
James Maddison is expected to return for Everton clash
De Zerbi could receive a major injury boost ahead of the Lilywhites’ clash against the Toffees on Saturday.
According to The Standard, James Maddison could be available for selection against Everton, after missing Tottenham’s last two league matches with a minor shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old’s creativity and vision in possession may be just what the Lilywhites need to break down Everton, but it remains to be seen if De Zerbi would be willing to throw the England international straight into the starting eleven.