Tottenham Hotspur opened their pre‑season campaign on a positive note, edging out newly promoted League One outfit MK Dons 1‑0 at the club's own Hotspur Way facility. The decisive moment arrived early in the match when recent acquisition Mateus Fernandes produced a spectacular volley that left the home crowd buzzing.
Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million, demonstrated why the North London side splashed the cash on him, striking a first‑time thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area after tracking a high ball from a corner. The goal not only gave Spurs the lead but also set the tone for a night that highlighted the impact of several summer signings.
Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham's manager, opted to rotate heavily, fielding a total of 21 players over the 90 minutes. The line‑up featured three of the club's newest additions: Fernandes, Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali – who joined for a club‑record £100 million – and veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, a free‑transfer signing. The Portuguese international and Tonali formed a double‑pivot in midfield, creating a £185 million partnership that dominated possession and dictated the tempo throughout the first half. Fernandes displayed a willingness to drive forward with incisive passes, a quality that was noticeably missing in Tottenham’s play last season.
Though some of his forward thrusts fell short, the overall creativity he added was evident and earned him the admiration of the supporters. Tonali, while perhaps less eye‑catching than his partner, provided the necessary balance and defensive steel. His composure allowed the team to retain shape, and he even intervened to thwart a potential MK Dons counter‑attack, earning a free‑kick for his team.
When both midfielders were substituted at the break – part of De Zerbi’s wholesale half‑time changes – Tottenham’s grip on the game loosened, underscoring how pivotal the new duo had been. In goal, Dubravka, at 37, proved that age is just a number. He produced a series of sharp reflex saves, including a crucial intervention on a close‑range header in the dying minutes.
His performance suggested that 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 presence of both keepers raises questions about the future of Juventus‑linked Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia after sustaining a minor training knock.
The squad list for the match read like a who’s‑who of Tottenham’s summer activity, featuring names such as 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, Sandro Tonali, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Luca Williams‑Barnett and Min‑Hyeok Yang, among others. Several senior players were absent. Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remained sidelined as they continue rehabilitation from injuries, and they will not travel to the Australasia tour. Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr have been granted extended leave following the World Cup, while Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence are also staying back after deep runs in the tournament.
Their absence handed younger squad members a valuable platform to showcase their abilities. Among the youngsters, 18‑year‑old Mikey Moore, fresh from a loan spell at Rangers, caught the eye with his energetic displays on the left flank. He will be looking to cement a place in De Zerbi’s plans as the season approaches. Rio Kyerematen, also 21, was the only player to feature for the full 90 minutes, alternating between left‑back and right‑back roles, demonstrating his versatility despite not yet making a competitive senior debut.
The standout performer, however, was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett. Deployed in a deeper attacking midfield role, he exuded confidence and fearlessness, delivering a pinpoint through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang that almost resulted in a goal.
Williams‑Barnett’s composure in a high‑pressure environment suggested he could become a regular fixture in the first‑team squad if he continues to develop. After a summer that saw the academy lose promising talents like Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for a combined £34 million, the emergence of these home‑grown prospects provided a welcome boost. The club will be eager to see whether Williams‑Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen can earn more minutes on the upcoming tour, which includes fixtures against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and a high‑profile clash with Chelsea in Sydney. The schedule for the pre‑season tour is as follows: July 22 – Tottenham 1‑0 MK Dons at the training ground; July 29 – Tottenham vs Sydney FC in Sydney (10:45 am UK time); August 1 – Tottenham vs Chelsea in Sydney (10:45 am UK time); August 8 – Tottenham vs Getafe at the training ground behind closed doors (3 pm); August 15 – Tottenham vs Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (3 pm); August 16 – Tottenham vs Hoffenheim at the training ground behind closed doors (12 pm).
The club hopes the blend of seasoned internationals and emerging academy talent will create a competitive squad ready for the challenges of the upcoming Premier League season.