With Tottenham jetting off on their pre-season tour of South Korea this weekend, the squad will be given their yearly chance to impress the manager in a series of friendly fixtures.
Therefore, we wanted to take a look at five names we think could surprise fans and stand out amongst the crowd…
Bryan Gil
Bryan Gil is obviously an incredibly talented player. However, the Spaniard has struggled to break into the Spurs first team since his move to the club in 2021.
Although Gil has made 20 appearances for Tottenham, he is still yet to start a league game for the club (transfermarkt).
Antonio Conte opted to send him out on loan for the second half of the 22/23 season, implying that he did so because Gil needed to work on his strength and physicality (Football.London).
While Gil did quickly earn rapport with the fans of Valencia, he struggled to influence the team in the final third. Only one assist and no goals in 13 La Liga appearances (9 starts), is not what Gil or Spurs will have wanted to see (transfermarkt).
But this preseason, Gil will have a point to prove. The Spaniard will be desperate to show that Spurs did not make a mistake in signing him. He’ll also want to show that he can become a star player for Spurs in the future.
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Particularly with an open spot in Spurs forwards due to Bergwijn’s departure (assuming Richarlison is primarily Kane’s backup) Gil will think he has a real shot to take his place alongside Son, Kane, Lucas, Kulusevski, and Richarlison as early as this season.
Troy Parrott
After ending last season on a hot streak for MK Dons and Ireland (8 goals and assists in his last 14 appearances – via FotMob.com), Troy Parrott will want to build on that momentum.
Parrott will also want to show the Spurs coaching staff that he is a legitimate option for the future. The striker has clearly modelled his game on Harry Kane’s. The Irishman shares Kane’s ability to drop in and operate as a 10 as well as push up and be the target man.
If nothing else, Parrott will want to show potential suitors that he is worth taking on loan this season.
Davinson Sanchez
Although Davinson Sanchez was not a starter for Spurs last year, he could play a crucial role in Tottenham’s season. The Colombian will want to build on the momentum he built up at the end of last season, when he put in several quality performances during Cristian Romero’s injury sideline.
Davinson showed in glimpses that he can be calm and collected on the ball, something that has previously evaded him and he will be looking to continue that this pre-season.
The key thing to look for in Sanchez is his aggression (something he has always had) but also to see whether he can keep his cool and be confident on the ball. The back three formation could be the making of him.
Ryan Sessegnon
Sessegnon seems to have cemented his place in the first-team squad as one of Conte’s two left-wing backs. This comes after Sergio Reguilón was left behind for the pre-season tour of South Korea.
The Englishman showed last season that he has what it takes to become an elite player. If he can stay fit and get minutes, Sessegnon has the potential to become world-class.
Sessegnon will want to show more of what he’s made of and impress Antonio Conte with what he can do in the final third.
Look for him to be energetic going forward as he battles with his Croatian counterpart Ivan Perisic to become a consistent member of the starting eleven.
Pape Matar Sarr
The majority of Spurs fans have no idea what to expect from Pape Matar Sarr. This will take the pressure off and allow the young Senegalese international to show people exactly what he is made of.
Unfortunately for Sarr, the strength of Tottenham’s central midfielders means he will likely head out on loan again this season.
However, the youngster will want to show Antonio Conte and his coaching staff what he can do either way. Still only nineteen, Sarr will want to leave them with the impression that he could be a genuine option in the next few seasons.
Look for Sarr to be working his socks and getting on the ball consistently from box to box.
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