Tottenham Hotspur took to the pitch today for the first time this pre-season, taking on Team K League, an all-star squad from the 12 South Korean top-flight clubs.
Let’s take a look at how the second-half XI got on (6-3):
Hugo Lloris – 6 – Let in a couple of goals, although couldn’t exactly blame him. One was a great shot and the other came from his wall splitting in half. One lovely long-range kick to pick out Richarlison on the break.
Lucas Moura – 6.5 – Moura lined up at right-wing-back for 30 minutes in the second half. Looked good on the ball, although energy levels were down as he did start the match. Great fitness levels to last that long in the heat in the first pre-season game though.
Japhet Tanganga – 7 – Some nice one-v-one defending from Tanganga, especially considering he has been out injured for so long. Lined up at right-centre-back which I would say is his best position.
Eric Dier – 6 – Defending was a little all over the place at times in the second half as Dier looked pretty fatigued in the heat, but that is more than understandable.
Davinson Sanchez – 6 – A little rash, as he was in the first half, Davinson was very much adopting a ‘crunch-now, think-later’ approach to defending at times.
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Matt Doherty – 7 – Started at left-wing-back before moving to the right. Some nice link-up play with the forwards, particularly Son on the left. Big season for Doherty if given the chance.
Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5 – He didn’t get on the ball too much in the middle of the park, but he added great energy to proceedings and looks a bright talent at just 19.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7.5 – Really impressive showing in the engine room. He was so composed on the ball and barely wasted a pass all half.
Heung-min Son – 8.5 – He started the half a little quiet, but soon burst into life with those trademark runs off the shoulder. After one of the strangest handbells ever, he got on the scoresheet from the spot with a nice dink down the middle, then added a second after a loose pass from the K League back line.
Richarlison – 7 – Considering he started the game, I was really impressed with his fitness levels. It was also nice to see him linking up with Kane and Son in that new-look three. Also demonstrated his adaptivity, playing up front, on the left, and on the right.
Harry Kane – 9 – Harry Kane doing Harry Kane things. Forced an own goal within a minute. Scored a goal from outside the box into the bottom corner. Netted a deflected free-kick. And found Son all day long with those trademark balls in behind.
Substitutes:
Troy Parrott – 7 – Really impressed with his cameo. He made some great runs in behind and could have scored on another day. Hopefully, he gets more minutes next time out.
Harvey White – 6.5 – Filling in at left-wing-back, Harvey White was a brick wall defensively, putting in a few great challenges. Can see the desire to earn minutes.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott – 6 – A couple of nice tackles/interceptions at the back.
Charlie Sayers – 6 – A huge achievement for the 18-year-old to get on the pitch this pre-season. One to look out for in the future.
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