Sam Allardyce warns Sean Dyche over Everton 'Problem' that managers will target

Sam Allardyce believes Premier League managers will target Ashley Young as a weakness when playing against Everton this week.

The 39-year-old was sent off for a challenge on Brighton’s Karou Mitoma as the Toffees were condemned to a 3-0 defeat in their opening Premier League match of the 2024/25 campaign.

With Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson both sidelined through their respective injuries, Sean Dyche’s hand was forced to play Young at right-back, a decision that eventually backfired.

Speaking via the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast on Thursday (22 August), Allardyce said: “Ashley Young playing at right-back is a problem at 39 years of age. He’s one hell of a professional, so great credit that he’s still in condition to play in the Premier League, but he gets caught out defensively.

“Your legs just aren’t the same going into your thirties, let alone nearly forties, and that’s where he got caught out and got sent off. Every manager is going to look at that, telling his players to get at him. I don’t know if the injury situation meant he had to play him, but there must be a better-suited right-back.”

Sean Dyche must solve right-back problem at Everton

While many fans will be relieved to see Young suspended for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 24 August, the situation that Dyche is left with is not much better.

Without Young, Coleman or Patterson, the manager may have to turn to one of the academy products rising through the ranks at Finch Farm, though that does not look like a likely option.

The most likely outcome will be Mason Holgate being utilised in the position, just like last season, though the Toffees are also short on centre-back options after James Tarkowski emerged as a doubt for the upcoming clash.

Fans will be hoping for new signing Jake O’Brien to be handed his debut against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, though it could be a very long afternoon in North London considering all of the injuries.

But going forward, Allardyce is certainly right about Young at full-back. While he deserves plaudits for continuing his Premier League career for so long, he gets caught out on too many occasions and can be far too rash in his tackles.

He picked up five yellow cards and one red card in the league last season and having already been shown red one match into the new campaign, it does not fill many with too much hope.

In other Everton news, Kieran Trippier’s house is up for sale as new transfer developments emerge at Goodison Park.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Sam Allardyce warns Sean Dyche over Everton 'Problem' that managers will target appeared first on Goodison News.