The World Cup may have only ended last week but Tottenham Hotspur are already back in pre-season action with a behind-closed-doors friendly vs MK Dons.
Let’s take a look at our Tottenham player ratings for the first half:
Tottenham first-half player ratings vs MK Dons
Antonin Kinsky – A clear indication of Tottenham’s new number 1, with Guglielmo Vicario not even in the squad. Didn’t have a save to make, mind you. 5.
Archie Gray – He will be desperate to play more minutes in midfield this season, but he covers at right-back again today in the absence of Porro and Spence. There wasn’t a whole lot of defending to do, but his highlight was a nice covering slide tackle to end an MK Dons attack. As you would expect, always looked to get up the right flank to support in attack. 6.
Kota Takai – With most of Tottenham’s centre-backs on their post-World Cup break, Takai comes into the XI. Looked comfortable on the ball but had very little actual defending to do. He did show a nice turn of pace to prevent a dangerous cross from inside Tottenham’s own box though. 6.
Ben Davies – The Welshman enters his 12th season with Tottenham Hotspur. An early example of his versatility as he covers at centre-back again. Hopefully, Spurs don’t get another injury crisis this season, so we don’t see it too often. 5.
Rio Kyerematen – The 21-year-old central midfielder covered at left-back for the evening, just as Jamie Donley did in early pre-season last year. Looked really positive when driving down the left side. 6.
Mateus Fernandes – Tottenham fans certainly didn’t have to wait long to see a glimpse of what Fernandes can do as he ripped a Paul Scholes-esque volley into the top bin after a corner was cleared in the second minute. Played as the deepest midfielder and constantly looked to pick the ball up early before passing between the lines – something Spurs were missing last season. It didn’t always come off, but you’d rather try it and fail than pass it sideways and go nowhere. 7.
Sandro Tonali – Slotted into a midfield two alongside Fernandes. Kept things ticking over nicely. A delicious long-range pass out to Tel perhaps showcased what Spurs fans can expect once he settles. Some nice pops between the lines in the final third. Would have been carded for ending a counter-attack if it wasn’t a pre-season friendly. 6.
Conor Gallagher – Tasked with pressing high up alongside Solanke in attack, which is where you feel he does his best work. As Tottenham’s new number 8, it will be interesting to see whether he is a regular starter under De Zerbi this season. 6.
Manor Solomon – Had a bright start to the game, missing an early chance in the opening few minutes. Looked very energetic but a little chaotic on the ball off the right wing. Solomon was clearly trying to make a statement with the extreme effort he was putting in off the ball. 6.
Dominic Solanke – Almost bundled the ball home in the opening five minutes after a good cross in from the left, but the defender just beat him to it. Very quiet beyond that as the game went through the motions. 5.
Mathys Tel – A bright start to the game as he burst past his man a couple of times to deliver dangerous crosses into the box, including one that Solanke almost stabbed home. Tel was arguably Tottenham’s brightest spark in what was a rather low-tempo first 45. 7.