Tottenham pre-season report: Who has impressed? What has Roberto De Zerbi learned?

Before jetting off on their customary pre-season tour on the other side of the world, Tottenham Hotspur's preparations for the 2026-27 campaign commenced behind closed doors against MK Dons.

Roberto De Zerbi's first summer XI certainly had an experimental feel to it, as the Lilywhites' starting side comprised new signings, Premier League regulars, up-and-coming talents and wantaway names in equal measure.

Only the one goal could separate Tottenham and their League One counterparts at Hotspur Way, but it went the way of De Zerbi's men, who edged out MK Dons 1-0 to make an ideal - if unspectacular - start to pre-season.

Spurs maintained their 100% start to the summer at Eden Park during their first tour game, which ended in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Auckland, before a penalty-shootout win over Sydney FC following a 1-1 draw in the Sydney Super Cup.

Not even Xabi Alonso's Chelsea could stop the Tottenham juggernaut rolling in pre-season, as the 10-man Lilywhites edged out the Blues 2-1 in their final match Down Under, in spite of a rare friendly red card to Kevin Danso.

However, Spurs had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Getafe behind closed doors on August 8, although they returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 beating of Hoffenheim on August 15.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up who has impressed for Tottenham in pre-season and what we have learned from their feats so far.

Mateus Fernandes sends Tottenham tongues wagging

Tottenham's slender success over MK Dons was sealed inside the first three minutes, thanks to a wonder strike from one of De Zerbi's new big-money arrivals, as Mateus Fernandes gave Spurs fans a glimpse of what might be to come.

With just three minutes on the board, the £85m lynchpin crashed home a long-range volley with exquisite execution; the type of finish that would be deemed goal-of-the-season worthy in the Premier League.

Fernandes made no standout contributions other than that and also failed to win any of his three ground duels, but the Portuguese kept things ticking over in the engine room, registering an 89% pass success rate during his 45 minutes on the field.

The former West Ham United man may never score a better goal in his entire career, let alone his Spurs stint, but it is impossible not to feel overwhelming excitement now that he has shown what he is capable of.

Fears that Fernandes has since suffered a serious knee injury during Tottenham training have also been quashed, although he was not involved against Sydney as De Zerbi manages his minutes.

Moore to come from Luca Williams-Barnett

As a plethora of senior Tottenham players recuperate from their World Cup exploits, the door has opened for a surfeit of youngsters to make their mark, most notably Mikey Moore and Luca Williams-Barnett.

Back from a productive season-long loan spell with Rangers, Moore returned to Tottenham duties with the same hunger and vigour, firing two shots and completing one successful take-on in a proactive performance against MK Dons.

The teenager then bagged a brace in the August 15 victory over Hoffenheim, which will likely be his last appearance in front of the Spurs faithful before a loan switch to Koln.

Alongside him, playmaker Williams-Barnett - named as one of the Premier League's top 20 Next Gen talents in 2025 - operated in a less advanced midfield role than expected, but it did not diminish the 17-year-old's impact.

Williams-Barnett registered three key passes on the afternoon - including one big chance created for Yang Min-hyeok - before also producing a lively display in Spurs' first match Down Under.

The 17-year-old fired five shots at Eden Park against Auckland - three of which were blocked - while also winning four of his five ground duels to further justify the hype.

Mathys makes Tel-ling contributions

Mathys Tel's enormous potential was realised when he was just 17 years old, as Bayern Munich paid a premium to sign the Frenchman from Rennes in 2022, but fulfilling those expectations at the Allianz proved a step too far.

Tel's indifferent start to life at Tottenham also had some questioning whether he was cut out for the Premier League, but after a promising end to the season - an assist against Aston Villa and goal against Leeds United - the 21-year-old has carried that momentum into the summer.

Against Auckland, Tel successfully cut the ball back for Richarlison to tap home, before breaking the deadlock against Sydney with a pinpoint free kick from the edge of the D.

The Frenchman failed to add to his tally against Chelsea, but he nevertheless completed four dribbles at the Accor Stadium, more than all other 39 outfielders who featured in the match combined (3).

Upon his return to North London, Tel continued to win the Tottenham fans over, providing a pair of assists in the 3-0 win over Hoffenheim to shine alongside the magical Moore.

Showcasing his abilities from both open play and dead-ball situations, Tel could not be doing more to make himself an indispensable asset in De Zerbi's plans.

Lucas Bergvall sends message to Roberto De Zerbi

With Tonali and Fernandes expected to anchor the midfield next season, and James Maddison operating just ahead of the duo - fitness-permitting - it is difficult to see where Lucas Bergvall fits into the first-XI puzzle.

The Swede seemingly shares the same view, having apparently made his desire for regular minutes - either in North London or elsewhere - clear, but Tottenham have rebuffed interest from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United so far.

However, Bergvall was a man on a mission against Getafe, impressing in an industrious midfield display with a 92% pass accuracy, three shots, four recoveries and two fouls won.

The youngster generated one of Tottenham's most promising opportunities of the first half on August 8, although a weak finish let him down after a driving run through the middle of the pitch.

Nevertheless, Bergvall's endeavour and desire to carry the ball forward could prove an invaluable addition to De Zerbi's team, if player and manager are aligned on their plans for 2026-27.