Tottenham's Pre-Season Tour Squad Announced
Tottenham will take a blend of fresh faces, seasoned internationals and hungry academy talent to New Zealand and Australia, with new signings Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson headlining the 35-man group for the club’s pre-season tour.
Both defenders only reported back to Hotspur Way this week after extended breaks following the World Cup and were left out of Wednesday’s behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons. Spurs edged that game 1-0, settled early by a thunderous third-minute volley from Mateus Fernandes, who wasted no time in staking his claim for a bigger role this season.
Sandro Tonali also featured in that friendly, sharpening his fitness ahead of the long-haul trip. Van Hecke and Robertson, though absent on Wednesday, now step into the frame as Ange Postecoglou looks to knit his revamped squad together against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea.
Not everyone is boarding the plane. Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert will stay behind at Hotspur Way to continue their rehabilitation, a cluster of attacking talent being carefully managed with the new campaign in mind. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has picked up a minor knock in training and will undergo treatment rather than travel.
Several of Spurs’ World Cup contingent have been handed extra time off after deep runs in the tournament. Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr have both been granted extended leave, as have World Cup finalists Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi and Cristian Romero. Djed Spence, who also went deep into the competition, will not be on the tour either.
The door opens, then, for youth. Highly rated academy trio Luca Williams-Barnett, Tyler Tingey and Mikey Moore are all included, a clear signal that the club wants its next generation to feel the intensity of senior preparation far from north London.
Tottenham’s travelling squad in full:
- Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin, Martin Dubravka, Antonin Kinsky, Dylan Thompson
- Defenders: Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Malachi Hardy, Andy Robertson, Kota Takai, Tyler Tingey, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke
- Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Jamie Donley, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Reiss Russell-Denny, Sandro Tonali, Luca Williams-Barnett, Yang Min-Hyeok
With senior stars resting, new signings bedding in and teenagers stepping into the spotlight, this tour will offer a sharp early look at what Tottenham might become once the real games start to count.
