This energetic playmaker could bring Spurs’ midfield to life vs Everton

There were an awful lot of ins and outs at Tottenham this summer.

There were a lot of midfielders drafted in for Spurs and the hardship was trying to fit them in to the same team, as so many prime players all made up a squad that was expected to at least put together a challenge at the top of the league.

And while Spurs still find themselves at the top end of the table, there are still questions as to what their strongest first eleven is, with the number ten role up for grabs between Christian Eriksen and Lewis Holtby.

Christian Eriksen Total Chances Created

Holtby endured a slow start to his Spurs career after joining from Schalke last January, while his pre-season was also cut short due to injury, also excluding him from the first three games of the season, which Eriksen also missed due to the delay in his signing from Ajax being completed after a fine season in Holland.

From eight appearances, Eriksen has managed to create 14 chances for Spurs, creating two goals for his team-mates, with one in each of his domestic and European appearances, while also grabbing a spectacular strike against Tromso in the Europa League.

Holtby has mustered nine appearances in the league and Europe so far, and while his assists have looked spectacular in Europe against weaker opposition, he has created just nine chances for his colleagues with two assists coming in the Europa League.

Christian Eriksen Duels Won

Eriksen has also claimed a better strike ratio, hitting the target with 75% of his shots in the league and netting his only shot in the Europa League, while Holtby has managed to hit the target with just 50% of his efforts in both competitions.

And with Spurs fans wondering about their attacking potential after stop-start performances against teams they would hope to be beating comfortably at home, Eriksen having attempted 13 take-ons is a plus, although he has been successful with five take-ons, thus whitering optimism.

However, in the combative area of the pitch, the German midfielder offers a lot more, having won ten of his 12 attempted tackles in both competitions this season. Eriksen on the other hand has managed just six successful tackles this season, and four interceptions.

Lewis Holtby Duels Won

In the last few Premier League games, Villas-Boas has opted to go with Holtby over Eriksen. Perhaps against Everton, going with Eriksen would be the best option. This is because the Denmark international thrives in transition phases and is able to create on the counter. Against Everton, due to the home-sides desire to keep the ball, one would expect The Toffees to be vulnerable on the counter-attack, meaning a player like Eriksen could be the difference.