Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi tried to switch things up in the attack against Everton, starting Dominic Solanke at striker and splitting Omar Marmoush on the left wing with Savio on the right. But the move did not work, as Solanke was the worst player on the pitch, Marmoush turned in an even quieter performance, and Spurs, once again, went without a goal against the Toffees despite continued improvements from their stalwarts in the midfield and defense.
Spurs may have to try something else in their next games against Liverpool on Tuesday night in the League Cup and then Aston Villa next weekend in the Premier League. Both of these teams are in the Champions League and even tougher opponents, at least on paper, than what Spurs have faced thus far, and with James Maddison still probably not ready to start, Spurs are going to have to find a new solution in one of their four attacking positions.
Mateus Fernandes was decent enough in the No. 10 role for a couple of games, but the standout new Tottenham signing fell back down to earth and looked quite unnatural as a playmaker against Everton, which is to be expected. After being one of the team's best players and lone saving graces early on, Fernandes was poor against Everton, failing to create chances and looking out of his depth further up the pitch - and everyone knows he is at his best as a defensive midfielder.
Mohammed Kudus might be needed for James Maddison
If Tottenham Hotspur can't start James Maddison at the 10, then Roberto De Zerbi needs to find a new option besides Fernandes or, worse yet, Conor Gallagher. Omar Marmoush playing further back is a possibility with Mathys Tel on the left wing and Dominic Solanke at striker, but given how terrible Tel and Solanke have been lately, starting both of them sounds like a bad idea, especially against teams as strong as Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Mohammed Kudus, though, is an option at the 10. Even though he is better on the wings and may not have the technical quality or creativiity to be a true 10, Spurs are not asking him to be the new starting playmaker, but, rather, an emergency option who is better than what they have while Maddison works his way back to fitness.
Starting Kudus as a 10 gives Tottenham the ability to play Savio, Marmoush, Tel, and Kudus all together, and, right now, that's probably their best attacking quartet. And Tottenham need their best players on the field.
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