Tottenham Hotspur have completed their first match of 2026/27 pre-season, and Roberto De Zerbi got to have a look at 21 different players in the 1-0 win over MK Dons.
Let’s take a look at our second-half Tottenham player ratings from Hotspur Way:
Tottenham second-half player ratings vs MK Dons
Martin Dubravka – Started the second half to make his debut. Looked to have conceded on 72 mins but the referee gave a foul against the keeper from a corner. Made a good save to tip over a header in the 80th minute. 6.
Tye Hall – Captain of the Tottenham U18s last season, and was even on the bench in the Champions League at one point. Covered at right back this evening and definitely had a lot more work to do than Archie Gray in the first 45. 6.
Malachi Hardy – Looked so positive with both his passing and his driving up the pitch. Blocked what looked like a certain goal when MK Dons got in behind on 54 mins. Some really assured defending from crosses too. The stand-out defender from the game. 8.
Harry Byrne – He has been training with the first-team this week, and the 18-year-old clearly impressed enough for a chance in pre-season. Normally an inverted left-back, played at centre-back today. 6.5.
Rio Kyerematan – The only player on the pitch to play all 90 minutes. Surely a nod to how impressed De Zerbi must have been in training. Slightly less active offensively in the second 45 as he tired. 6.
Jamie Donley – Looked senior and assured alongside a lot of young Tottenham players, dropping deep to keep things ticking over. A little quiet beyond that. Reports say that he has impressed De Zerbi in training this week. Would have liked to see him control the game a little better, but it was a very makeshift central midfield two. 6.
Luca Williams-Barnett – Played in a deeper midfield role, much further back than we are used to seeing him. Not his usual position but he was a real driving force once he got the chance to turn. Had his best moment when he picked out a beautiful lofted ball in behind to send Yang Min-hyeok one-on-one. Really impressive 45 minutes considering he was out of position. MOTM. 8.
Dane Scarlett – Played the 45 in more of a number 10 role but didn’t see much of the ball after a bright start. He is still only 22-years-old, but you wouldn’t be surprised if he was also made available for sale this summer. Scarlett needs a settled move after some tough loans. 5.
Yang Min-hyeok – A very quiet half for the South Korean as MK Dons grew into the game and most of Tottenham’s attacking came centrally or wide left. He did manage to have Spurs’ best chance though as Williams-Barnett picked him out, only for Yang to take it around the keeper and volley wide. 5.
Richarlison – Scored early in the second half with a nice chip but he was ruled offside. Wore the captain’s armband since he was the only real senior outfield player – perhaps an indication of the hierarchy between himself and Solanke in De Zerbi’s eyes? Got in behind after 75 minutes but smashed it straight at the keeper. 5.
Mikey Moore – One of the brightest sparks, not only in his half, but the whole match (along with Williams-Barnett). Every time he got the ball, he looked to take on his man or cut inside and take a shot. Played a Harry Kane-esque switch at one point to get Spurs in behind. Exciting early signs. He’s definitely grown and bulked up too. 8.