Five Tottenham players who must impress De Zerbi in pre-season
Tottenham’s pre-season preparations will begin on 10 July, giving five players the chance to impress Roberto De Zerbi ahead of the new campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur have secured several of their new signings well ahead of their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Preparations for pre-season begin on 10 July before Spurs face MK Dons on 22 July at Hotspur Way in a behind-closed-doors match.
That friendly marks the start of a seven-game pre-season run for the Lilywhites, featuring fixtures against Auckland FC, Sydney FC, Chelsea, Getafe and Hoffenheim.
| They will oppose | Date | Kick-off (BST) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK Dons | Wednesday, 22 July | 4:00pm | Hotspur Way, London (behind closed doors) |
| Auckland FC | Sunday, 26 July | 11:00am | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Sydney FC | Wednesday, 29 July | 11:00am | Sydney, Australia |
| Chelsea | Saturday, 1 August | 10:45am | Sydney, Australia |
| Getafe | Saturday, 8 August | 3:00pm | Hotspur Way, London (behind closed doors) |
| Hoffenheim | Saturday, 15 August | 3:00pm | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London |
| Hoffenheim | Sunday, 16 August | 1:00pm | Hotspur Way, London (behind closed doors) |
While Tottenham’s World Cup stars will miss some of these matches, several other players will feature heavily and have the chance to impress Roberto De Zerbi. Here are five who need to seize the opportunity.
Mathys Tel needs to show he is capable of making the left wing role his own
Tel enters pre-season as the only fit left winger at the club. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are sidelined with ACL injuries, leaving Spurs short of depth in that area.
The club is actively exploring options, with Rafael Leao, Savinho, Crysencio Summerville and Cody Gakpo all linked.
Tel held down the role during the Premier League run-in, producing solid displays and scoring against Leeds United. He must now prove to De Zerbi that he can make the left wing position his own.
Destiny Udogie needs to show he can stay fit and sharp to keep Robertson out of the team
Udogie remains Tottenham’s first-choice left back, but his fitness record is a concern. Since joining Spurs, he has yet to complete a season without injury.
Last campaign was no different, prompting the club to sign Andy Robertson to provide competition.
Robertson will be present in pre-season and eager to stake his claim. For Udogie, the challenge is clear: stay fit, stay sharp, and avoid setbacks, or risk losing his starting spot.
| Season | Days | Injuries | Games missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/26 | 136 | 5 | 20 |
| 24/25 | 46 | 2 | 11 |
| 23/24 | 137 | 3 | 14 |
| 22/23 | 63 | 2 | 4 |
| 21/22 | 61 | 6 | 7 |
| 20/21 | 21 | 1 | 4 |
Dominic Solanke has a chance to claim the number nine spot
Tottenham have strengthened midfield and defence this summer, but the forward line remains untouched. With no new striker signed yet, Solanke heads into pre-season as the main number nine.
This window of opportunity allows him to showcase his ability and potentially influence Spurs’ decision on whether to recruit another forward.
A strong pre-season could see Solanke cement his place as the club’s leading striker, while a poor one could force Tottenham to go all out for a new centre-forward.
In the last few weeks, Spurs have been linked with a move for Dusan Vlahovic, while Kroupi remains under the Lilywhites’ radar, with the Bournemouth man also capable of leading the line.
Dejan Kulusevski needs to show he can get back to a high level
Kulusevski has endured a year out of football, and regaining his previous levels will not be easy. Long-term injuries often take a toll, and the Swede must now use pre-season to prove he still has something to offer Tottenham.
Recent recovery updates show Kulusevski back on the pitch, but match action will be the true test of his fitness and sharpness.
A strong pre-season from the Swede would certainly leave Tottenham feeling confident about the Swede’s fitness.
Archie Gray must show he can compete with Tonali and Fernandes
The arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have raised Tottenham’s midfield standards but also increased competition.
Lucas Bergvall has already requested to leave Spurs due to limited opportunities, yet Gray remains committed to North London.
The teenager barely featured during De Zerbi’s seven games in charge last season, but pre-season offers him the chance to demonstrate his quality and prove he can compete with Tonali and Fernandes.
