Tottenham Hotspur opened their pre‑season campaign on a high note, edging out newly promoted League One outfit MK Dons 1‑0 at the club's own Hotspur Way training ground. The decisive moment came from an exquisite volley by recent acquisition Mateus Fernandes, whose strike not only secured the win but also announced his arrival in north London with a flourish.
The match featured three of the club's summer signings, as head coach Roberto De Zerbi rotated a total of 21 players over the full 90 minutes. Sky Sports provided a detailed analysis of the fixture, highlighting the impact of the newcomers and the opportunities afforded to the younger members of the squad. **A Dream Debut for Fernandes** Just three minutes after stepping onto the pitch, the Portuguese midfielder made a statement. After a corner was cleared high, Fernandes tracked the ball into the box and, without hesitation, unleashed a first‑time volley from the edge of the area that rocketed into the top corner.
He later described the effort as "the favourite goal of my career by a mile," underscoring how special the moment felt for him. The goal gave Spurs an early lead and set the tone for a 45‑minute spell in which Fernandes showcased his technical ability and eye for goal before being substituted at half‑time as part of De Zerbi's extensive changes.
Having arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million, Fernandes immediately paired with club‑record signing Sandro Tonali, forming a £185 million midfield partnership that dominated possession. While Tonali's contributions were more about balance and defensive solidity, Fernandes added a creative spark, often attempting forward passes that, although not always perfect, represented a marked improvement over the creative deficiencies Tottenham displayed last season. **Tonali’s Role and the Half‑Time Shift** The Italian international, who joined for a club‑record £100 million, complemented Fernandes by providing a steel‑like presence in the double pivot. His disciplined positioning allowed Tottenham to control the tempo and transition smoothly between defence and attack.
However, when both midfielders were withdrawn at the break, the team’s grip on the game loosened, illustrating how vital their partnership had been. Tonali also demonstrated his tactical awareness by intervening to halt a potential MK Dons counter‑attack, earning a free‑kick for Spurs. **Goalkeeping Changes: Dubravka’s Impact** The third summer signing to make his debut was goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who entered the fray at half‑time.
Despite being 37, Dubravka displayed reflexes that belied his age, notably denying a close‑range header from the Dons in the dying minutes. His performance suggests he could serve as a reliable deputy to the newly‑signed first‑choice keeper Antonin Kinsky, who started the match and appeared comfortable with the ball at his feet. The arrival of Dubravka and the promotion of Kinsky have cast doubt over the future of Juventus‑target Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia after sustaining a minor training knock.
**Squad List and Missing Players** A long roster of names featured in the pre‑season lineup, including Damola Ajayi, Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Jamie Donley, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Malachi Hardy, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Mason Melia, Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Andy Robertson, Reiss Russell‑Denny, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, Kota Takai, Mathys Tel, Dylan Thompson, Tyler Tingey, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Luca Williams‑Barnett, Min‑Hyeok Yang and many others. Key absentees included Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, all of whom are still recovering from injuries and will not travel to Australasia. Additionally, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr have been granted extended leave after the World Cup, while Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence will also miss the tour due to their involvement in the later stages of the tournament. **Youth Players Seize the Spotlight** With a substantial number of senior players unavailable, the match provided a platform for Tottenham’s emerging talents.
Mikey Moore, returning from a loan spell at Rangers and eager to impress, made an impact on the left flank, hoping to earn a place in De Zerbi’s plans for the upcoming season. Rio Kyerematen, the 21‑year‑old midfielder, was the only player to complete the full 90 minutes. He demonstrated versatility by covering left‑back in the first half and right‑back in the second, showcasing his adaptability despite not yet having made a competitive first‑team debut. The standout among the youngsters was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett.
Deployed in a deeper attacking midfield role, he exhibited confidence and fearlessness, delivering a pinpoint through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang, who unfortunately missed a clear‑cut chance after a superb dribble around the goalkeeper. Williams‑Barnett’s 45‑minute cameo was his second appearance for the senior side, and his performance suggests he could earn further opportunities under De Zerbi. After a summer of academy sales—including the departures of Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for a combined £34 million—seeing home‑grown players make an impression is encouraging for the club’s long‑term development strategy. **Pre‑Season Schedule Ahead** Tottenham’s next fixtures will see them travel to the Southern Hemisphere.
They will face Auckland FC in New Zealand at 4 a.m. UK time on Sunday, followed by matches against Sydney FC and Chelsea in Australia. The itinerary also includes a behind‑closed‑doors game against Getafe at the training ground, and two encounters with Hoffenheim—one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and another at the training ground—before the Premier League season begins.
Overall, the 1‑0 win over MK Dons provided a promising glimpse of how the new signings are integrating, how the coaching staff is managing squad rotation, and how the academy graduates are stepping up when given the chance. As the pre‑season tour progresses, fans will be watching closely to see whether the early momentum can be sustained and how the squad will evolve ahead of the competitive campaign.