Tottenham wary of Gylfi Sigurdsson factor, says Danny Murphy

Could Everton take Tottenham’s place in the top four this season? Despite the clever signings they have made, I don’t believe this will be the year that will happen.

Regardless of the players Everton have brought in, they have lost Romelu Lukaku, one of the best strikers in the Premier League, to Manchester United. He is not a player easily replaced.

It will be interesting to see how Gylfi Sigurdsson, the £45million signing from Swansea, does against his former club. Mauricio Pochettino has said that he regrets the club selling Sigurdsson to Swansea in 2014, shortly after he took over as manager. With his ability to score and create goals, particularly from set pieces, Sigurdsson would enhance nearly every Premier League squad.

But the Icelander’s arrival will not be enough to push Everton into the Champions League places. If they finish in the top six, they will have done well.

Despite their shaky start, Tottenham will still be thinking they can push the favourites again.