Everton vs Tottenham team news: three Blues players walking the selection tightrope

Chopping and changing your starting line-up is something managers never want to do.

A settling side is what they desite. That means results are usually going their way.

Rafa Benitez’s Everton XI picked itself as the start of the season. There were no shocks when the team sheets came out an hour before matches.

However, a combination of injuries and drop in form mean the Toffees chief will again be pondering switches to his line-up for Tottenham’s visit to Goodison Park on Sunday.

Against the backdrop of three successive defeats to West Ham, Watford and Wolves, Benitez has to head back to the drawing board.

We take a look at those who are most vulnerable of having the axe wielded on them.

Mason Holgate

Lucas Digne's injury opened up a first league start in more than two months for the former West Brom loanee.

Ben Godfrey was forced to operate as a makeshift left-back, with Holgate coming into central defence.

Although Godfrey was culpable for Raul Jimenez's goal because of his horrendous attempted backpass, Holgate was also slightly to blame. He was too slow to react when the ball was behind him.

In truth, the 24-year-old was lucky not to have been sent off, never mind booked. Two rash lunges warranted either side of half-time cards.

Although Michael Keane was almost as poor, he's been favoured by Benitez throughout the season.

With Digne back fit, Benitez has to make a decision in central defence. Holgate is the likeliest to make way.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin

You had to have a bit of sympathy for the Ivorian at Molineux.

Coming back from injury and making just his fifth Everton appearance, there was little wonder why he was so ineffective.

There was little wonder why he was hooked off at half-time, too. Gbamin offered little in the engine room as the Blues were torn apart.

Recruited for £25 million from Mainz in the summer of 2019, it just hasn't worked out for Gbamin on Merseyside. As things stand, he'll go down as one of the worst ever Toffees signing.

Fabian Delph replaced Gbamin at the interval and provided the nous and know-how that Everton were crying out for.

Although he has his share of knockers among fans, even his critics would concur he can provide more than Gbamin.

Alex Iwobi

The Nigeria international bagged Everton's 66th-minute consolation goal in the Black Country.

However, that's done little to overshadow another underwhelming all-round performance.

Iwobi's had plenty of chances since joining more than two years ago. There have not been enough bright performances to justify his £27 million price tag.

Indeed, he's capable of beating a defender but end product is left found wanting too often.

Many will agree it's time for Anthony Gordon to have a sustained spell in the team.

He was highly impressive when replacing Iwobi in the final 12 minutes at Wolves.

Gordon was unlucky to lose his starting spot in the first place, having been man of the match against Watford and was withdrawn before the capitulation.

Called up into the England under-21 squad for the first time, he'll be full of confidence and deserves a go.