Tottenham take on Sydney FC this morning in the second match of their pre-season tour, and there is a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side started their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Auckland FC at Eden Park last weekend, and they will be looking to make it three wins from three after also beating Milton Keynes 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
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The Italian named a youthful team against Auckland as he was wary of exposing some of the senior players to match action so quickly after a 30-hour round trip to New Zealand.
Some more familiar faces were expected to take the field in Sydney, and supporters will be hoping to get a first glimpse of new signings Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke, along with Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes had been an injury concern amid worries on social media, and he is not involved at all today.
Robertson is among the substitutes, but Van Hecke misses out entirely.
Club record signing Sandro Tonali also missed out against Auckland, and De Zerbi will be keen to get the £100million man back involved as quickly as possible, and that could also come from the bench.
There is a start for wantaway midfielder Lucas Bergvall, however, and he partners Archie Gray in the engine room.
James Maddison and Destiny Udogie were both absent from the Auckland game, and De Zerbi revealed afterwards that he was unwilling to take risks with their fitness. The pair were doubts to play against Sydney and they are not risked at all here.
"He's not working the last five days, I think, like Udogie, but they have not a big problem, just to stay focused, don't take any risks,” De Zerbi said.
"For the next friendly game against Sydney, maybe we play with Tonali, with others, maybe, we've got to see."
Dominic Solanke was also not named in the matchday squad against Auckland, as De Zerbi looks to manage the minutes of those who struggled with injuries last season. He is not involved either.
Those on extended leave from the World Cup have yet to return and won’t be available until Spurs arrive back in London early next month.
That means there will continue to be opportunities for the younger players in the squad. Centre-back Malachi Hardy has particularly impressed, while Mikey Moore is hoping to seal a place in the first team.
Mathys Tel made a positive impact off the bench against Auckland, while strikers Dane Scarlett and Richarlison were both on the scoresheet as they look to make a case for their futures at the club. Richarlison leads the line and Tel starts off the left.
Midfielder Jamie Donley has made a good impression on De Zerbi, but hobbled off against Auckland and headed straight down the tunnel. He is a substitute here.
Spurs take on Sydney in the first of two games as part of the Sydney Super Cup, with De Zerbi’s side also set to face London rivals Chelsea this weekend.
Tottenham XI: Dubravka; Kyerematen, Davies, Hardy, Hall; Gray, Bergvall; Solomon, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Robertson, Takai, Tingey, Byrne, Tyrese Hall, Russell-Denny, Donley, Tonali, Ajayi, Yang, Williams-Barnett, Scarlett
Time and date: 10.45am BST on Wednesday July 29, 2026
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
How to watch: SpursPlay
