Tottenham Hotspur opened their pre‑season campaign on a high note, edging out newly promoted League One side Milton Keynes Dons 1‑0 at the club's own Hotspur Way training ground. The solitary goal came from a spectacular first‑time volley by recent acquisition Mateus Fernandes, a moment that instantly endeared the Portuguese midfielder to the Spurs faithful.
Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million fee, marked his debut in spectacular fashion just three minutes after stepping onto the pitch. A high ball was cleared from a corner, and Fernandes, positioned on the edge of the box, struck a clean, powerful volley that flew past the Dons' keeper and into the net. The strike was described by the player himself as "the favourite goal of my career by a mile," and it set the tone for a performance that, although limited to 45 minutes, showcased his technical ability and confidence.
Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham's manager, opted for a massive rotation, fielding a total of 21 players over the 90 minutes. The line‑up featured three of the club's summer signings: Fernandes, Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, and veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Fernandes and Tonali formed a double‑pivot in midfield, creating a £185 million partnership that immediately gave De Zerbi's side control of the game.
While Tonali's work‑rate and defensive discipline provided a solid platform, Fernandes added a touch of flair, frequently attempting forward passes that, even when not perfectly executed, signalled a renewed creative spark after a relatively barren previous season. The half‑time whistle brought a wholesale change. Both Fernandes and Tonali were substituted, and the team lost some of its composure. The Dons, sensing an opening, pressed forward, but Tonali had already demonstrated his value with a crucial intervention that halted a counter‑attack and forced a free‑kick for Tottenham.
His presence, though less eye‑catching than Fernandes's goal, was essential in maintaining the team's structure. Between the sticks, 37‑year‑old Martin Dubravka proved that age is just a number. He made a series of impressive saves, including a reflexive stop from a close‑range header in the dying minutes. Dubravka's performance suggested that he could be a reliable deputy to the newly appointed first‑choice goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, who started the match and displayed confidence with the ball at his feet.
The emergence of Dubravka and the promotion of Kinský have placed Juventus‑linked keeper Guglielmo Vicario in a precarious position; indeed, Vicario was omitted from the 35‑man 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 the current Spurs roster, featuring names such as Damola Ajayi, Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Jamie Donley, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tyrese Hall, Malachi Hardy, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Mason Melia, 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 several others.
Several senior players were absent from the action. Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert continued their rehabilitation from injuries and were not included in the overseas tour. Likewise, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr were granted extended leave after the World Cup, while Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence missed the trip due to their involvement in the later stages of the tournament.
Their absence gave a platform for younger talents to make an impression. Among the youngsters, 18‑year‑old Mikey Moore, fresh from a loan spell at Rangers, attracted attention with his energetic runs down the left flank.
Moore, who expressed his excitement about returning to Tottenham, will be looking to earn a regular place in De Zerbi's plans as the pre‑season progresses. Rio Kyerematen, a 21‑year‑old midfielder, was the only player to feature for the full 90 minutes.
He showcased his versatility by operating as a left‑back in the first half and switching to right‑back after the interval, demonstrating the adaptability that modern managers value highly. However, it was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett who truly stood out. Deployed in a deeper attacking midfield role, Williams‑Barnett displayed remarkable confidence and fearlessness. He delivered a perfectly weighted through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang, who, despite a brilliant first touch, unfortunately missed an open‑goal opportunity.
Nevertheless, the precision of Williams‑Barnett's pass highlighted his vision and technical skill. Having made a solitary first‑team appearance last season, his 45‑minute display suggested he could soon become a regular feature in De Zerbi's squad. The match also underscored Tottenham's continued reliance on academy graduates after a summer of significant outbound transfers.
The club saw the departures of promising talents such as Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for a combined fee of around £34 million. The emergence of players like Williams‑Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen offers a promising counterbalance to those exits.
Looking ahead, Spurs will embark on a pre‑season tour of Australia and New Zealand, beginning with a fixture against Auckland FC at 4 a.m. UK time on Sunday, followed by matches against Sydney FC, Chelsea, Getafe, Hoffenheim (twice) and other opponents. The itinerary provides ample opportunity for both new signings and academy prospects to stake their claim for a place in the squad ahead of the Premier League season. In summary, Tottenham's 1‑0 win over MK Dons delivered a blend of excitement and optimism.
The debut goal from Mateus Fernandes gave fans an immediate return on investment, while the performances of Tonali, Dubravka and the youthful contingent signalled depth and potential across the roster. With several senior internationals sidelined, the pre‑season will be an ideal proving ground for emerging talents eager to make their mark under Roberto De Zerbi's stewardship.