Ranking every Tottenham player from pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand

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Tottenham have wrapped up their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand with two wins and a draw, but which players will be returning to England with the most credit in the bank?After opening pre-season with a 1-0 win over MK Dons, Spurs jetted out to New Zealand to kick off their tour. They opened it at Eden Park, taking on A-League champions, Auckland in front of 40,000 fans. Goals from Richarlison and Dane Scarlett saw Tottenham kick things off with a 2-0 win.Next, they swapped Auckland for Sydney, taking on Sydney FC in the first game of the Sydney Super Cup, featuring Tottenham, Chelsea, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers. The game ended 1-1, with Tottenham winning 4-2 on penalties.That set up a final against Chelsea in front of 80,000 fans at the Accor Stadium. Sandro Tonali gave the Lilywhites the lead, before Estevao pegged them back just a few moments later. Down to 10 men after a controversial Kevin Danso sending off, Tottenham battled right until the end, before Richarlison scored a last-gasp winner for a 2-1 triumph. With games now against Getafe and a double-header versus Hoffenheim over consecutive days, all that is left between Tottenham and Premier League action, we rank the squad in terms of how influential or positive their tour was.Credit: @izzzyreyes)1) Mathys TelMathys Tel capped the pre-season tour in Australia and New Zealand with a fantastic goal against Sydney, while looking sharp throughout, terrorising full-backs and looking as if he might have taken a step forward over the summer. Roberto De Zerbi described him as a “big, big talent” and “an important player”. With Tottenham searching for a talisman, could Tel be that guy?2) Antonin Kinsky Antonin Kinsky continued with his redemption arc with a stunning save against Chelsea. Impressing with his distribution too, the way Kinsky has bounced back from that torrid night in Madrid is both impressive and commendable. Other players may have been left broken form such an experience. Kinsky, though, looks as if he’s made this the making of him. What’s perhaps most exciting too is Roberto De Zerbi thinks he can get even better: “He is very clear with the pass, but he can become faster in the decision in build up. He has all the qualities to become one of the best, also in the build up, the distribution.”3) Archie GrayAgainst Chelsea, Archie Gray captained Tottenham for the third game in a row, which is intriguing, given Roberto De Zerbi is likely to name a new skipper for the Lilywhites this season. The 20-year-old continues to defy his young age and played the most minutes of anyone out on tour, playing both at right-back and in midfield. Gray remains arguably the most dependable player in Tottenham’s squad.4) Ben DaviesWhile Ben Davies is unlikely to have a frontline on-field role this season, he played the sixth most minutes of anyone out on tour. But it was that off-field influence that ranks him so highly here. De Zerbi said Davies was the obvious choice for captain, but he spoke to him before speaking to Gray, judging it was more important for Gray’s confidence. That anecdote sums up Davies and showcases the value of having a figure like him around.5) Malachi HardyA lot of Tottenham’s youngsters made an impression through the tour, but perhaps none more so than Malachi Hardy. The young centre-back started consecutive games versus Auckland and Sydney, looking assured and technically sound. While a loan move is the most likely next step for him, it feels a first introduction for a talent that will have a big role to play at Tottenham in the years to come. De Zerbi highlighted him as one “for the future of the club”.6) Luca Williams-BarnettWhen your head coach describes you as a ‘precious diamond’ with the potential to be a ‘special player’ then you know you must be doing something right. At just 17, Williams-Barnett chipped in the very first penalty in the shootout win over Sydney, which perhaps says more than words can say about his talent and character. He showed he is worthy of the hype and the next steps he takes will be fascinating.7) Lucas BergvallWith so much speculation about Lucas Bergvall‘s future, it was perhaps a surprise to see him go on tour, but the young midfielder impressed out in Australia and New Zealand. He was excellent, by all accounts, in an open training session according to The Athletic, with De Zerbi spending time with the Swede to understand his best position, which is part of a midfield pivot. It will be intriguing to see whether or not he does remain in the building from here.Credit: adlinc_photography / Instagram8) RicharlisonThe Brazilian’s future remains up in the air and it’s set to be an interesting storyline to follow in the coming weeks. On tour, the most decisive moments fell to Richarlison, including the last-gasp winner over Chelsea. At worst, he’s put himself in the shop window. At best, he’s given Roberto De Zerbi some headaches. The Italian wants him to stay at Spurs, describing him as a “lovely guy”, adding he’s an important player with it not easy to find another striker like him. 9) Manor Solomon Behind Gray, Manor Solomon played the most minutes on tour out of anyone. The Israeli is one who had been marked for the exit door by most so it’s interesting to have seen him play so much football. The smart money is that these were more than likely shop window minutes, but Solomon is a solid option as a back-up. What his future holds, like Richarlison, will be one of the storylines to play out over the coming weeks.10) Sandro TonaliWhile his likely midfield counterpart in Mateus Fernandes did not play too much football on tour, Sandro Tonali played a lot. The Italian played 126 minutes in total and scored against Chelsea. The Italian’s quality is obvious and he promises to be a massive addition for Tottenham.11) Rio KyerematenKyerematen played the fifth most minutes out of anyone out on tour and was another of Tottenham’s young prospects to impress. Hugely versatile, playing in midfield, while filling in on both sides of defence, he did his standing a lot of good out in New Zealand and Australia. 12) Tye HallLike Malachi Hardy and Rio Kyerematen, Tye Hall made successive starts. Like Kyerematen, Hall was also excellent filling in at full-back with versatility a huge advantage in today’s game.13) Jamie DonleyIn Roberto De Zerbi, Jamie Donley has a fan and it was easy to see why the Italian has taken a liking to the Northern Ireland midfielder. Against Auckland, Donley looked bright, both offensively and in terms of breaking up play. While he missed his penalty versus Sydney, it was still a positive tour for the youngster – though perhaps not quite as impactful as some of his other youthful counterparts.Credit: @gragrapix / Instagram14) Kota TakaiTottenham fans have had to wait to really get a look at Kota Takai and he had a solid tour. He was good against Auckland, albeit a little shaky versus Sydney. It’s difficult to see him being a frontline option this season, though.15) Conor GallagherEnergetic and solid. Conor Gallagher did everything Spurs fans have really come to expect from Conor Gallagher. He’ll undoubtedly be a useful player for De Zerbi this season.16) Mikey MooreWhile Mikey Moore is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most exciting prospects, his tour performances were a little subdued. It seems a certainty he’ll be heading out on loan again soon.17) Dane ScarlettA goal against Auckland and the decisive penalty against Sydney, Dane Scarlett had some moments and looked bright in the first game out on tour especially.18) Andy RobertsonAndy Robertson‘s first start came against Chelsea and he almost gifted them a goal with a poor chested pass. He looked a little sloppy but that was perhaps no surprise with his pre-season only really just beginning there. His experience and quality are not in question, however, and he will surely be a big addition for Spurs.19) Martin DubravkaMartin Dubravka is set to be Tottenham’s number two this season and made some solid stops in the game against Sydney. He also made a key save in the penalty shoot-out. No alarm bells raised and he looks as if he will be a capable deputy for Kinsky – there were even reports the pair have struck up something of a bromance out on tour.20) Brandon AustinBrandon Austin was between the sticks for Tottenham’s tour opener against Auckland and, by all accounts, played very well. He’s likely to once again be a solid number three keeper for Spurs, keeping Kinsky and Dubravka honest.21) Yang Min-hyeokAfter a frustrating few loan spells, Yang Min-hyeok only had 52 minutes of action out on tour and it’s tricky to really know what’s next for him. 45 minutes of action, or less:The below players were limited to 45 minutes of action or less, making it tricky to really rank them in the grand scheme of things. Mateus Fernandes looked classy in his cameo, while Jan Paul van Hecke set the tone of what could be to come with him at the heart of defence in a 45-minute shift versus Chelsea. At the other end of the scale, Kevin Danso had one of the worst substitute appearances anyone, sent off after just four minutes.Dominic SolankeJan Paul van HeckeMateus FernandesMason MeliaHarry ByrneTyler TingeyTyrese HallKevin DansoReiss Russell-DennyPlayers that didn’t feature:James MaddisonMicky van de VenDestiny UdogieDyland ThompsonDamola AyajiREAD MORE: Six biggest winners from Tottenham’s pre-season under Roberto De Zerbi so far – Spurs WebThe post Ranking every Tottenham player from pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand appeared first on Spurs Web.