The Spurs are finally stepping out for a public showcase against Auckland FC, and let me tell you, there’s a *ton* riding on this first real look. After dropping a cool **£200 million** on six new players, and with two brutal 17th-place Premier League finishes haunting everyone, Roberto De Zerbi’s revamped squad has serious questions to answer, starting Sunday. This isn’t just another pre-season kickabout, this is the first glimpse of what our future could actually be.
De Zerbi’s Big Test After a Massive Spend
You gotta feel the pressure on De Zerbi, right? The club has shelled out **more than £200 million** for six fresh faces, and after two straight seasons stuck at a dismal 17th place, there’s absolutely *no* way to spin this away. This Auckland FC match at Eden Park isn’t just a friendly; it’s the first honest, public look for supporters at what this heavily reshaped side truly *is*. We already got a quiet 1-0 win against MK Dons behind closed doors, sure. Now it’s all out in the open. Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Martin Dubravka are all on the plane, giving De Zerbi a solid platform. But hold up, Marcos Senesi, the new Argentina centre-back, actually stayed behind.
Key Absences Open the Door For Young Guns
Here’s where it gets wild though: the squad heading to New Zealand is 35 players deep, but it’s far from complete or at full strength. Guglielmo Vicario and Cristian Romero are huge question marks, both nursing issues. Vicario has a ‘minor knock,’ and both players are getting whispered about in transfer talks, adding uncertainty. Plus, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro, and Djed Spence are all chilling back home after their World Cup runs, given extra time off. That’s a ton of talent and experience just *gone* from the initial squad! And then you’ve got Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, and Wilson Odobert stuck back at Hotspur Way, grinding through recovery from long-term injuries. This really strips the team of some serious creativity and veteran presence. But hey, for guys like Luca Williams-Barnett, who already turned heads against MK Dons, and Mikey Moore, this is their moment to shine! These tours might be sold as commercial gigs, but for these young guys, it’s a full-blown audition to prove they belong.
What’s Next for the New-Look Spurs
So, what’s De Zerbi gonna do with all these moving pieces? He’s probably gonna split his lineup across the two halves, like he did before. The predicted XI for Auckland FC looks like this: Kinsky, Takai, Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Udogie, Fernandes, Tonali, Yang, Moore, Tel, and Solanke. Auckland FC finished third in the A-League last season, so they should absolutely provide a competitive test in front of what’s expected to be a record crowd. You can catch the kick-off at 4am BST on Sunday, July 26, 2026, streaming live on SPURSPLAY. After this crucial first public match, it’s off to Australia for more action against Sydney FC and a massive clash against Chelsea. Can’t wait to see what this squad truly looks like when the whistle blows!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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