Tottenham ace Son Heung-min can cause Everton weak link Nathan Patterson problems on Saturday
Ange Postecoglou’s men face a tough Premier League task this weekend as they get set to host high-flying Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 23 December.
Only a few months ago the Toffees would have been most Premier League team’s pick for who they would like to face, especially at home, but that is certainly not the case anymore.
Sean Dyche has inspired a remarkable upturn in form which has seen Everton win their last four Premier League matches in a row without conceding a goal. As a result, Postecoglou and Spurs will know they’re in for a competitive clash.
With Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie both suspended, it doesn’t make their task any easier. However, there is one weakness in Dyche’s team which one of Spurs’ most dangerous players should look to exploit.
Son Heung-min has enjoyed one of his finest starts to a season for Spurs since he joined the club. The South Korea international was named captain at the beginning of the season and has risen to that title, striking ten times in the Premier League so far, the most of any Tottenham player, and the joint-third most in the entire division.
With four assists to go alongside his goalscoring tally, Son has been one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League this season, and while he has featured predominantly as a striker throughout the campaign, he has begun to play on the left in recent weeks to make room for the in-form Richarlison up top.
Son will likely play on the left again for the visit of Everton, which will certainly give Dyche and right-back Nathan Patterson a few sleepless nights.
Patterson and Ashley Young have shared the responsibility of Everton right-back this season, with the latter starting most games. However, the 38-year-old picked up a knock in his side’s recent 2-0 home win against Chelsea (10 December), and there is no guarantee he will be fit to start, which would leave Patterson with the challenge of dealing with Son.
This could cause a problem for the 22-year-old, who is not the most assured player defensively, as his recent performances have demonstrated. Having started last time out in the Premier League against Burnley in Everton’s 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Saturday 16 December, Patterson was dribbled past three times and won just 50 per cent of his ground duels (Sofascore).
In his previous league start before the win at Burnley, Patterson once again helped his side to a clean sheet in their 1-0 win against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday 29 October but struggled personally as he was dribbled past four times.
Across his three other starts in England’s top flight this season, the former Rangers man was dribbled past a combined total of four times, highlighting his weakness in one-on-one situations, which could be a problem against Son, who has averaged 1.14 successful take-ons per 90 in the league this season, with a successful take-on percentage of 46.2 per cent (fbref).
Even if Young does return to the fold, Son could still look to exploit the former Manchester United man, who has struggled at times this season, being sent off at Anfield and giving a penalty away against his former side at Goodison Park.
Whoever starts, it could prove to be a productive afternoon for Son who will be looking to add a couple more goals to his tally for the season so far.
In other Tottenham news, one player’s inspired form has led to the club changing their mind on where his future lies.