Tottenham Starts Pre-Season with Victory Over MK Dons
Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their pre-season with a solid 1-0 victory against MK Dons, newly promoted to League One, at Hotspur Way. The win was marked by a spectacular volley from Matheus Fernandes, Spurs’ latest signing.
Fernandes was among three players introduced during the summer transfer window as manager Roberto De Zerbi utilized a total of 21 players throughout the match.
Sky Sports provides an analysis of Spurs’ opening pre-season friendly.
Notable Player Performances
Just three minutes into the match, Fernandes realized his dream in North London. The midfielder, acquired from West Ham for £85 million, showcased his skill by volleying a high ball into the net from the edge of the box, giving Spurs an early advantage.
This electrifying introduction was sure to excite Spurs fans, especially with De Zerbi taking to the field for 45 minutes before making a substitution at halftime.
The Portugal international formed a pivotal partnership with club-record signing Sandro Tonali, whose £100 million transfer has significantly bolstered the Spurs midfield. Their combined efforts demonstrated a surprising level of control, particularly given the team’s struggles with creativity in the previous season.
Debuts and Defensive Strength
While Fernandes might have shone brighter than Tonali, the Italian maintained a steady presence in midfield. Following their substitution at halftime, Tottenham appeared to lose momentum. Tonali contributed significantly by disrupting the opposition’s plays, including a key defensive effort against an MK Dons counterattack.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, another summer acquisition, made his debut at halftime and delivered an impressive performance. Throughout the match, he displayed sharp reflexes, notably saving a close-range header in the final minutes. Dubravka’s arrival as a capable backup for first-choice keeper Antonin Kinski, who looked composed in his starting role, may prove to be a shrewd deal for the club.
Absentees Raise Questions
The addition of Kinski and Dubravka has sparked speculation about the future of Guglielmo Vicario, who was notably absent from the match amid reported interest from Serie A teams Juventus and Napoli. Also missing was fellow Italy international Destiny Udogi, although he was present with the squad as an onlooker. Summer signings Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke missed the game, having just returned from World Cup commitments, alongside Micky van de Ven and Lukas Bergvall, who were sidelined with James Maddison.
Reports indicate that Bergvall is seeking a move away from the club, which will be monitored closely as interest from clubs like Nottingham Forest and Newcastle intensifies. Injured players, including Mohamed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, and Wilson Odbert, also missed the friendly.
Youths Stepping Up
With experienced players absent, young talents were given the opportunity to showcase their abilities. Mikey Moore, returning from a loan at Rangers, attempted to make an impression from the left wing as he aims to earn a spot in De Zerbi’s plans. The 18-year-old has much to prove during this pre-season.
Midfielder Rio Kyerematen, although yet to debut for the first team, played the full match, demonstrating flexibility by operating as both a left-back and a right-back. However, teenage standout Luca Williams-Barnett captured attention with his fearless performance. Positioned deeper in midfield, Williams-Barnett displayed confidence and skill, notably delivering a precise ball over the top to 17-year-old Yang Min-hyuk, who narrowly missed scoring.
Williams-Barnett’s impressive performance has put him in contention for greater involvement in the upcoming season, especially after the recent academy sales totaling £34 million.
Looking Ahead
These young talents, including Williams-Barnett, Moore, and Kyerematen, are eager to seize further opportunities in Spurs’ forthcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand. The team’s next match is scheduled against Auckland FC at 4 AM BST on Sunday.
Upcoming Fixtures
July 22: Tottenham 1-0 MK Dons – Spurs Training Ground
Sunday: Tottenham vs. Auckland FC – Auckland, 4 AM (UK time)
July 29: Tottenham vs. Sydney FC – Sydney, 10:45 AM (UK time)
August 1: Tottenham vs. Chelsea – Sydney, 10:45 AM (UK time)
August 8: Tottenham vs. Getafe – Spurs Training Ground (no fans), 3 PM
August 15: Tottenham vs. Hoffenheim – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 3 PM
August 16: Tottenham vs. Hoffenheim – Spurs Training Ground (no fans), 12 PM
