Soccer
Roberto De Zerbi told Tottenham’s young players they will have opportunities to prove their worth after Archie Gray wore the captain’s armband in Sunday’s friendly win over Auckland FC.
Dane Scarlett and Richarlison were on target in either half as Spurs kickstarted their tour of New Zealand and Australia with a 2-0 victory over the 2025-26 A-League champions.
Scarlett tucked into an open net in the 12th minute after Michael Woud made a strong reflex save to deny Manor Solomon, and after De Zerbi had made sweeping changes to his side, Richarlison was teed up by Mathys Tel for a 70th-minute clincher.
With regular skipper Cristian Romero still on holiday following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, Gray led the team for 62 minutes prior to being replaced by Mateus Fernandes.
Only Solomon (six) created more chances for De Zerbi’s side than Gray (two, level with Mikey Moore and Tel), while the former Leeds United man also won four of his five duels and recovered possession five times.
De Zerbi selected a young line-up, with 27-year-old Solomon the only outfield starter above the age of 22.
In Malachi Hardy, Tye Hall, Luca Williams-Barnett and Moore, Tottenham named four teenagers in their starting XI.
After the game, De Zerbi held up Gray as an example as he said Spurs’ young players would all get a chance to force their way into his plans.
“Archie is young, but he’s an old player, in terms of his mentality, his performances, his experiences in his career,” De Zerbi said of Gray.
“The young players have to push, because with me as a coach, they will have the chance to play.
“Logically, they have to show me that they are ready, they have qualities, they have the mentality to play in this club.
“When I decide the players, when I decide the squad, I never see the age of the players.”
In addition to Romero, Tottenham were without their vice-captain James Maddison and left-back Destiny Udogie, both of whom have minor injuries.
Club-record signing Sandro Tonali also did not appear, but De Zerbi is hoping to have reinforcements ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Sydney FC.
Asked about Maddison’s availability, the former Brighton boss said: “He’s not been working in the last five days, I think, like Udogie, but they do not have big problems.
“They just have to stay focused, not take any risks and then, for the next game, against Sydney, maybe we can play with Tonali and other players, maybe. We’ve got to see.”
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