Everton take on Tottenham Hotspur in their final Premier League game of the season today – and it may well be Tim Iroegbunam’s biggest game since signing.
Everton’s recent form in the league has unfortunately seen them drop out of the race for European football.
For the last time this season, let us know your prediction ahead of Sunday’s game…
Could Everton really send Spurs down? 😳
So today there is only one narrative about this particular game, and it’s whether Spurs will be relegated or not.
David Moyes ideally wants to win the game, first and foremost to stop this awful run, but also to give his old side West Ham United a chance to survive.
Moyes will be without Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite for the game, and at the moment Idrissa Gana Gueye is 50/50.
That points to another start for Tim Iroegbunam, who can secure his Everton future with a good final performance.
Tim Iroegbunam must perform on final day audition as Everton seek win over Tottenham Hotspur
Iroegbunam has now started the last three games for Everton following the injury picked up by Gueye in training ahead of the Manchester City game.
The Englishman has had to show real patience at times this season, and has largely only played when Gueye has not been available.
Iroegbunam has done fairly well when he’s come into the team alongside James Garner, drawing praise for his off-the-ball work in particular. His performance against City was especially good.
But with just one game left now, he needs a top showing.
Because obviously, the situation is that Iroegbunam’s contract expires in the summer of 2027, meaning Everton face a decision on the player.
The club won’t want him heading into that final year of his contract. So it could be a case of either keeping and extending his deal, or selling before his value starts plummeting.
When Moyes gave his pre-Tottenham press conference, he said that Gueye had not yet trained with the team.
So that indicates that him starting is unlikely. And surely Iroegbunam – who cost £9 million (BBC Sport) – would make a fourth start in a row.
Where will Everton be in the table by 6pm on Sunday afternoon? 🥲
The Blues could finish as low as 14th… 😫
Everton News columnist Alan Myers has previously shared how Moyes sees Iroegbunam as a valued member of the squad.
So there is already a decent chance that he’ll remain with the squad for next season.
He just now needs to cement his position in the manager’s mind, and hopefully he can dominate his Spurs counterparts today.
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