Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their pre‑season campaign on a high note, edging out newly promoted League One side MK Dons 1‑0 at the club's own Hotspur Way training ground. The decisive moment arrived just three minutes after the whistle when recent acquisition Mateus Fernandes unleashed a spectacular volley that would prove to be the match‑winner and a statement of intent for the Portuguese midfielder.
Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million, demonstrated why the North London faithful are buzzing about his arrival. He tracked a lofted corner, positioned himself at the edge of the penalty area and, without hesitation, struck a first‑time volley that rocketed into the top corner.
The quality of the strike left the MK Dons goalkeeper with no chance and gave the Spurs supporters an instant glimpse of the flair they can expect this season. Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s manager, opted to rotate heavily, fielding a total of 21 players over the 90 minutes.
Three of those were summer signings: Fernandes, Italian midfield maestro Sandro Tonali – who joined for a club‑record £100 million – and veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, secured on a free transfer. The Portuguese and the Italian formed a double‑pivot in midfield, creating a combined investment of £185 million and providing De Zerbi with a platform of control and creativity that was missing in the previous campaign.
Fernandes’ early goal was complemented by his willingness to drive forward with incisive passes, a trait that stood out given Tottenham’s creative struggles last season. While not every forward pass found its target, the sheer ambition and vision he displayed were encouraging signs for a side that is looking to rejuvenate its attacking play. Tonali, on the other hand, offered a more measured presence, using his physicality and tactical awareness to shield the defence and occasionally stepping in to thwart MK Dons counter‑attacks, including a crucial intervention that forced a free‑kick in Tottenham’s favour. The half‑time whistle saw a wholesale change as De Zerbi swapped out both Fernandes and Tonali.
The shift proved decisive; without their midfield dominance, Spurs found it harder to retain possession and the game’s tempo slowed. This underscored the immediate impact the new signings have had and hinted at the importance of maintaining their partnership throughout the season. In goal, 37‑year‑old Martin Dubravka proved that age is just a number.
He produced a series of sharp reflex saves, the highlight being a late, close‑range header from MK Dons that he tipped over the bar. His performance suggested that he could serve as a reliable deputy to the newly‑signed first‑choice keeper Antonín Kinský, who also featured in the match and displayed confidence with the ball at his feet. The emergence of Dubravka and Kinský has thrown the future of Juventus‑bound Guglielmo Vicario into doubt; indeed, Vicario was omitted from the 35‑man squad travelling to the pre‑season tour of New Zealand and Australia after sustaining a minor knock in training.
The squad list for the fixture read like a catalogue of the club’s recent recruitment drive: Damola Ajayi, Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Jamie Donley, Martin Dubravka, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Malachi Hardy, Antonín Kinský, 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. Several high‑profile names were absent as they continue rehabilitation from injuries: Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert. Likewise, after the World Cup, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr, Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence were granted extended leave and did not travel to the Australasia tour.
The shortage of senior players opened the door for younger prospects to make an impression. Fifteen‑year‑old Mikey Moore, fresh from a loan spell at Rangers and eager to prove himself, caught the eye with his energetic runs down the left flank. Midfielder Rio Kyerematen earned the distinction of playing the full 90 minutes; the 21‑year‑old displayed versatility by slotting into left‑back for the first half and right‑back for the second, showcasing his adaptability. However, it was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett who stole the spotlight.
Deployed in a deeper attacking midfield role, he exhibited composure beyond his years, delivering a pinpoint through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang that sliced the defense open. Although Yang failed to convert the subsequent chance, the pass highlighted Williams‑Barnett’s vision and confidence.
His brief first‑team cameo last season now seems a prelude to a potentially larger role under De Zerbi. The performance of these academy graduates is particularly encouraging after a summer that saw the club cash in on promising talents such as Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for a combined £34 million.
The emergence of Williams‑Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen suggests that Tottenham’s youth pipeline remains fertile and could provide valuable depth as the season unfolds. Looking ahead, Spurs will continue their pre‑season itinerary with a trip to the Southern Hemisphere. They face Auckland FC in New Zealand at 4 a.m. UK time on Sunday, followed by fixtures against Sydney FC and Chelsea in Australia, before returning home for high‑profile friendlies against Getafe, Hoffenheim (twice) and a final showdown with Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
These matches will offer further opportunities for the new signings to cement their places and for the youngsters to stake a claim for regular first‑team action. In summary, Tottenham’s 1‑0 win over MK Dons not only provided a clean sheet and three points but also served as a showcase for the club’s recent investments and emerging talent.
With Fernandes delivering a dream debut, Tonali providing steel in midfield, Dubravka proving his worth between the sticks, and the academy graduates impressing when called upon, the North London side appears well‑positioned to embark on a promising campaign once the competitive season begins.