Tottenham's New Signings Await Their Debut

Tottenham’s new era is still waiting for two of its headline acts to step onto the stage.

Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson again watched from the sidelines as Spurs eased past Auckland FC 2-0 in the early hours of Sunday morning, their wait for a first appearance stretching into a second pre-season game.

Robertson, the former Liverpool stalwart, arrived on a free before Scotland began their World Cup campaign. Van Hecke followed from Brighton during the tournament, a deal that underlined Tottenham’s determination to reshape their defence and add depth across the back line.

They are part of a lavish rebuild. Spurs have already spent over £200m this summer, with Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali among the marquee arrivals tasked with reshaping a midfield that has too often lacked control and bite.

Yet in Auckland, Roberto De Zerbi kept his powder dry.

The Italian has refused to give any of his senior players extended minutes on this long-haul tour, mindful of the 30-hour journey that dragged his squad halfway around the globe. The win over A-League champions Auckland FC was comfortable enough, but it came with a clear caveat: this was conditioning work, not a showcase.

The price of that caution is obvious for the new boys. Van Hecke and Robertson have now gone through two friendlies without a single competitive touch in Tottenham colours, reduced to observers as their new teammates begin to find rhythm without them.

Next Chance

Their next chance comes quickly.

Tottenham face Sydney FC at 10.45am BST on July 29, a fixture De Zerbi will hope to attack with a squad closer to full fitness and readiness. If the medical and physical data gives him the green light, that could finally be the moment when Robertson pulls on a Spurs shirt for the first time and Van Hecke starts to justify the effort it took to prise him away from Brighton.

If not, the spotlight only grows brighter on the next date in the diary: Chelsea on Saturday, August 1, another 10.45am kick-off for UK viewers and a far more high-profile stage on which to launch a Tottenham career.

Two signings, plenty of expectation, and still no minutes. The question now is not whether they will play on this tour, but how long De Zerbi is prepared to hold his nerve before unleashing them.