Tottenham Player Ratings: Elfsborg Match - A Thorough Assessment
Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season friendly against Elfsborg provided valuable minutes for the squad and a chance to assess individual performances. While the result (a comfortable win for Spurs) is important, a closer look at the player ratings reveals some key takeaways about form and fitness heading into the new season.
Goalkeepers:
- Guglielmo Vicario (7/10): Vicario looked assured in goal, commanding his area and making a couple of crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. His distribution was also impressive, showing his ability to launch attacks from the back. A solid debut performance for the new signing.
Defenders:
- Destiny Udogie (7.5/10): Udogie was a constant threat down the left flank, offering both defensive solidity and attacking impetus. His crosses were accurate, and his defensive work was commendable. A promising display from the young Italian.
- Micky van de Ven (7/10): The new signing looked composed and confident at the back, showcasing his passing ability and reading of the game. While not tested extensively, he showed glimpses of his potential. Needs more game time to fully integrate.
- Ben Davies (6.5/10): A dependable performance from Davies, offering experience and stability to the backline. He wasn't spectacular, but he did his job efficiently.
- Emerson Royal (6/10): Royal showed some positive attacking moments but could improve his defensive contributions. He needs to show more consistency in both areas to secure a starting spot.
Midfielders:
- Oliver Skipp (7/10): Skipp controlled the midfield with his usual tenacity and intelligent passing. He dictated the tempo of the game and provided a solid platform for the attackers. A strong performance showing his importance to the team.
- Pape Matar Sarr (7.5/10): Sarr impressed with his dynamic playmaking and energy. He showed good vision and passing range, creating several chances for his teammates. He's certainly one to watch this season.
- Pierre-Emile Hรธjbjerg (6.5/10): Hรธjbjerg put in a solid shift, showcasing his work rate and ball retention. While not as flashy as some of his teammates, his presence in midfield was vital.
- Ivan Periลกiฤ (6/10): Periลกiฤ's experience was evident, but his overall impact was somewhat limited. He needs to increase his attacking output if he wants to feature regularly in the starting XI.
Forwards:
- Harry Kane (8/10): Kane looked sharp and clinical, bagging a goal and creating chances for his teammates. He remains a key player for Tottenham and his pre-season form is encouraging. His leadership on the pitch is also invaluable.
- Richarlison (7/10): Richarlison showed his usual flair and energy, creating several opportunities and causing problems for the Elfsborg defense. He needs to improve his finishing consistency, but overall a good performance.
- Dejan Kulusevski (6.5/10): Kulusevski demonstrated his technical ability and creativity, showing glimpses of brilliance. He needs to be more consistent with his end product, but a promising display.
Substitutes:
Several substitutes also made an impact, showing Ange Postecoglou has depth in his squad. Their individual performances will be analysed separately in future reports.
Overall:
The match against Elfsborg offered valuable insight into Tottenham's readiness for the upcoming season. While some players stood out, many others showcased their potential. With more pre-season games to come, this game provided a good benchmark to assess individual players and team cohesion. The overall positive performance will surely boost confidence going into the Premier League campaign. The next few matches will be crucial in finalizing the starting XI and game plan for the season ahead.