Several Tottenham players have benefited from this summer’s pre‑season camp, and we’ve highlighted six of the biggest winners.
Tottenham Hotspur are almost halfway through their pre-season schedule this summer following their latest clash against Sydney.
The Lilywhites were held to a 1-1 draw after normal time but made sure to keep their unbeaten run in friendly games going this summer by beating the Australian outfit 4-2 on penalties.
Up next is Chelsea on Saturday morning UK time, a game that marks the end of the tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Spurs will then return to London, where they have three more pre-season games scheduled, with Getafe and Hoffenheim still to come before their preparations come to an end.
However, several players have stood out so far during this summer’s camp and have emerged as the biggest winners. We have identified six of those stars.
Mathys Tel has looked incredibly fit and sharp
A goal and an assist so far in pre-season leave Mathys Tel as the player with the most goal involvements for Tottenham this summer.
But take his goal contributions out of the equation and Tel still stands out, as he has looked sharp and fit for Spurs.
It almost feels as though the Frenchman never went on holiday. Tel continues to dazzle with his dribbling out on the wing for Tottenham.
His wonderful free-kick against Sydney was perhaps the icing on the cake for the Frenchman, who is staking a claim for a starting spot on the left and will give any new signing a run for their money.
Malachi Hardy looks like a real talent at centre-back
Hardy is another player who has impressed for Tottenham during this summer’s pre‑season. The centre‑back has earned consecutive starts against Auckland FC and Sydney, making him, Tye Hall and Kyerematen the only youngsters to achieve that.
That says a lot about the quality he possesses, as he has looked assured in defence for Tottenham, especially with the ball at his feet.
Against Auckland FC, Hardy was joint-top for the most completed passes. While the likes of Mikey Moore and Luca Williams-Barnett often receive praise, Hardy has announced himself to the Spurs faithful this summer.
He is a top talent and, with his recent displays, he could well earn himself a loan move this summer.
Luca Williams-Barnett is shining for Tottenham
Speaking of Williams-Barnett, the teenager remains one of the biggest winners of Tottenham’s pre-season so far.
He brings that familiar feeling that he can make something happen whenever he has the ball at his feet.
Against Auckland FC, he was one of Spurs’ most creative outlets and has not failed to create a chance in any of his last three pre-season appearances.
Tottenham fans did not hold back in their reaction to Williams-Barnett’s performances, with many convinced he is the real deal and worth the hype.
De Zerbi himself has been full of praise for Williams-Barnett, even labelling him a “precious diamond”. When you earn such praise, you are certainly doing a lot of things right.
Rio Kyerematen has played more minutes than anyone at Tottenham
Versatility is definitely one of the biggest assets a modern-day professional can have in an era where games often come thick and fast.
The moment a footballer is capable of filling several positions, the amount of game time they receive can increase significantly.
That has indeed been the case for Rio Kyerematen, who has featured on both the left and right side of the defence despite being a midfielder by trade.
But he is not just making up the numbers. Kyerematen has looked like the real deal in pre-season, offering plenty both defensively and offensively.
No player has managed more minutes than the youngster so far in pre-season, and that says a lot about his quality.
Archie Gray has been named Tottenham captain twice
Breaking into Tottenham’s midfield with the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali almost certain to be starters will be no easy task.
But that is the challenge facing Archie Gray, who has been a constant throughout pre-season, featuring in every game.
The midfielder has also barely put a foot wrong, which should not come as a surprise given how impressive he was last season.
His quality on the ball is clear to see, but his leadership qualities have also come to the fore, with De Zerbi handing him the captain’s armband twice during pre-season.
Against Auckland FC, Gray captained a young Spurs side. Against Sydney, the youngster was again given the armband despite the likes of Conor Gallagher, Richarlison and Ben Davies being on the pitch.
That could well be a hint that the midfielder will be part of Tottenham’s leadership group, which should be decided before the season kicks off.
Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly a big fan of Jamie Donley
Jamie Donley has also been involved in pre-season for Tottenham after returning from his loan spell at Oxford United.
Donley appears to have formed a strong connection with De Zerbi, with the Tottenham youngster even posting a picture of himself and the head coach on his Instagram story with a white heart emoji.
That followed reports claiming that Donley has left De Zerbi impressed during the club’s pre-season training camp.
The midfielder featured against Sydney and showed great energy and intensity, closing down Sydney players whenever they had the ball.
Unfortunately, he missed his penalty in the shootout, but that mattered little as Martin Dubravka saved Sydney’s subsequent spot-kick.
Being on the manager’s good side makes Donley one of the winners of Tottenham’s pre-season so far, and it remains to be seen how that translates onto the pitch.
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