Tottenham Hotspur continued their pre-season preparations with a closely contested draw with Wycombe Wanderers, and three players managed to stand out, including a bright, young talent.
Tottenham Hotspur locked horns with Wycombe Wanderers in a pre-season game, which was far from easy. Despite controlling the game, Thomas Frank’s men entered the halftime break with the score level.
Their struggles continued in the second half, as Wycombe took a surprise lead. In the end, Spurs had to settle for a draw at Hotspur Way. However, the important thing was getting more minutes in the tank and allowing Frank to better assess his squad.
Here are the three Tottenham players who put in top-notch displays and three others who failed to get up and running:
Pape Matar Sarr was at the double for Tottenham
Pape Matar Sarr enjoys taking shots from distance, and while they do not always hit their target, he has scored a few screamers since landing in North London. Today, the midfielder played a more attacking role, which often saw him arriving in the box.
Sarr was clinical, scoring twice from close range. A neutral tuning in for the first time could be excused for believing the 22-year-old is a natural striker.
One of Sarr’s main problems last season was that he was not overly consistent. However, he has shown that on his day, he is a sound player in the middle of the park.
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Tynan Thompson enjoyed a rare cameo
Tynan Thompson has played most of his football for Tottenham U18s, but he featured for the U21s against Leyton Orient in the week, getting himself a goal in the process.
The 17-year-old replaced Richarlison just after the hour mark against Wycombe, and he looked electric, with his pacey dribbling and clever lay-offs.
The highlight for Thompson was when he assisted Sarr for Tottenham’s second goal with a grounded cross. He even came close to scoring the winner after making a good run into space, but his finishing let him down. Overall, it was a very positive showing from the youngster, who looks like a talented left winger.
Wilson Odobert surprised Tottenham supporters
Wilson Odobert did not have the easiest debut season at Tottenham. He was kept out for some time with injuries, and he failed to break into the first team. With the arrival of Mohammed Kudus, it looked like Odobert would really struggle for minutes during the upcoming campaign.
The Frenchman is certainly working to ensure that is not the case. He was very good today against Wycombe, offering relentless running and an attacking threat. Also, it was his shot which led to Sarr opening the scoring for Spurs.
It is important to remember that Odobert is not yet the finished product. He is only 20 years old and has plenty of time to develop as a player. His 60-minute showing today will definitely have helped his cause ahead of the new season.
Cristian Romero showed immaturity
Now, onto the less impressive players, and one player who makes the list for a reason other than his footballing performance is Cristian Romero.
The defender will probably be disappointed that he was part of a defence which conceded twice against a League One team. However, the main issue with the Argentine was when he lost his temper and swung his arm at an opposing player. The referee overlooked the situation, but in a competitive game, he would not be as lucky.
Romero wore the captain’s armband last Saturday, and with Heung-min Son linked with a move to LAFC, there is a realistic chance of him permanently taking up the role. This could change, though, if Romero fails to show he is responsible enough to lead by example. To throw an arm in a training ground pre-season friendly is not a good look.
Brandon Austin was at fault for the first goal Tottenham conceded
It was a shame Brandon Austin was only selected to make three appearances for Spurs last season, because he appeared to be a solid shot-stopper. Having said this, the Wycombe game was a totally different story.
Austin faced a shot which was aimed straight at him, and he let it into the back of the net. It was almost as bad as when Harry Kane decided to fill in as a goalkeeper in the Europa League a decade ago, only to concede in comical fashion. The goal was actually a turning point in the game, as Spurs had been in complete control up to that point.
Perhaps the Tottenham academy graduate could be cut some slack due to his lack of competitive matches, but he has surely thrown away any chance of playing more often.
Richarlison failed to make a difference for Tottenham
Richarlison has a big season ahead of him, should he remain at Tottenham. If he does not impress Frank, it is highly likely he will be sold before his contract expires.
Today was his first pre-season appearance, so showcasing some rustiness is to be expected. The Brazilian did have a goalscoring chance, which he failed to convert, but other than that, it was a quiet performance from the man who started the Europa League final.
Richarlison will be hoping for an injury-free season so he can play as much as possible, but his selection in the team can only be guaranteed if he performs well. He certainly needs to up his game the next time he is in the starting lineup.