Mikey Moore delivered a brace in Tottenham Hotspur's commanding 3-0 pre‑season triumph over German side Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 19‑year‑old striker found the net twice in the second half, both times capitalising on precise deliveries from fellow youngster Mathys Tel. The opening goal, however, came earlier in the first half when Richarlison rose to meet a low, curling cross from the newly arrived Scottish left‑back Andy Robertson and tucked the ball home. The match also marked the home debuts of four of Roberto De Zerbi's summer acquisitions – Robertson, midfield dynamo Sandro Tonali, defensive prospect Jan Paul van Hecke and centre‑back Marcos Senesi.
All four impressed, helping the team maintain an unbeaten record in the pre‑season schedule. Their performances suggested that De Zerbi’s reshaped squad is beginning to gel ahead of the Premier League campaign. Several key players were missing from the lineup, most notably centre‑back Micky van de Ven, creative midfielder James Maddison and versatile defender Mateus Fernandes.
Their absence was felt, but the depth shown by the newcomers and academy graduates compensated admirably. Tottenham supporters will be eager to see whether the sidelined stars return for the final friendly against Hoffenheim, which will be staged behind closed doors at the club's training ground on the following day.
For those watching the match on a desktop, the broadcast recommended using the Chrome browser to access a more accessible video player. The German side, under Roberto De Zerbi, will open their Premier League season against Brentford next Saturday, a fixture that will be streamed live on Sky Sports. Fans with a Sky subscription can watch via the Sky Sports app, while non‑subscribers are offered a short‑term, contract‑free access option.
Sky Sports also produced a detailed analysis of Spurs' pre‑season performance, highlighting two players who had been linked with departures but instead delivered standout displays. Moore, who was on the brink of a loan move to Bundesliga outfit Cologne, postponed that transfer after his two‑goal showcase, leaving De Zerbi with a promising option to consider for the upcoming season.
His first celebration was modest – a simple tap on Tel's cross – but his second was more exuberant, reflecting his growing confidence. The future of the academy graduate remains uncertain; contract negotiations are ongoing, and speculation persists about whether he will stay at Tottenham or seek regular first‑team football elsewhere. In parallel, Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who attracted interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, appears to be on the cusp of a decision. De Zerbi has publicly stated his desire to retain Bergvall, emphasizing the midfielder's need for consistent playing time and assuring him that his role at the club will be clarified after the transfer window.
Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool seeking more minutes on the pitch, made an immediate impact on his new club. Operating on the left flank, he supplied a series of dangerous crosses, one of which led to Richarlison's early goal. Robertson's arrival was hailed as a boost to the dressing room culture, bringing a wealth of experience from his trophy‑laden Liverpool tenure. His performance against Hoffenheim demonstrated that his technical abilities match his leadership qualities.
With fellow left‑back Destiny Udogie yet to feature in pre‑season due to fitness concerns, Robertson seized the opportunity to cement his place. At 32, he appears ready to start the Premier League season against Brentford, potentially making it difficult for the younger Italian to displace him once the campaign begins. In goal, Antonin Kinský solidified his claim as Tottenham's first‑choice goalkeeper.
He produced a series of crucial saves, dealt confidently with aerial threats, and displayed composure with the ball at his feet – attributes that suit De Zerbi's possession‑oriented system. This marks a remarkable turnaround for the 23‑year‑old, who endured a difficult outing in Madrid seven months earlier. His resurgence has seen him replace Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad as Juventus reportedly expressed interest in the Italian keeper.
The pre‑season itinerary leading up to the Hoffenheim encounter included a 1-0 win over MK Dons at the training ground on July 22, a 2-0 victory against Auckland FC on July 26, a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC (won 4-2 on penalties) on July 29, a 2-1 win over Chelsea in Sydney on August 1, and a 1-1 stalemate with Getafe behind closed doors on August 8. The August 15 fixture against Hoffenheim was the first at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followed by a second, private match on August 16 at the training ground. Overall, the performance against Hoffenheim offered a promising glimpse of the squad's potential. The attacking trio of Moore, Richarlison and Tel displayed fluid interplay, while the defensive unit, anchored by Kinský and bolstered by the new signings, kept a clean sheet.
Robertson's delivery from the left and the emerging chemistry among the newcomers suggest that Tottenham could be well‑positioned to challenge for higher league positions this season. Fans are now looking forward to the final friendly and, ultimately, the Premier League opener, hoping the momentum from this pre‑season will translate into sustained success on the domestic front.