Tottenham Name Experimental XI for Chelsea Derby in Sydney
Tottenham’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand ends with a twist of London needle, thousands of miles from home and under very different skies.
At the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Spurs face Chelsea in what is billed as the first meeting between the rivals staged outside England. The football might be friendly; the edge rarely is.
Unbeaten Spurs look to finish job
Tottenham arrive at this final stop in good shape. They have not lost since landing in Oceania in mid-July, easing past Auckland FC 2–0 before edging Sydney FC on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regular time.
The performances have not been flawless, but the tour has given Roberto De Zerbi a clear look at his evolving squad and a chance to drip-feed minutes into younger legs. One more test remains – and it comes against a Chelsea side that has already shown its own attacking intent with a chaotic 6–4 win over Western Sydney.
De Zerbi juggles injuries and minutes
De Zerbi’s plans are not without complications. James Maddison did not train in the build-up to this clash and misses out as he nurses a minor injury, a situation Tottenham will treat with caution with the Premier League campaign only three weeks away.
Mateus Fernandes is also still short of full fitness. The Portuguese midfielder, absent from the last game against Sydney FC and again missing from training, is not ready to start as De Zerbi continues to manage workloads across his squad.
Even so, there is experience on show. Jan Paul van Hecke comes into the XI, while Kevin Danso is named among the substitutes, a sign that senior figures are being reintroduced as the tour closes.
Bold Tottenham XI named in Sydney
The Tottenham starting line-up against Chelsea has a distinctly experimental feel, blending established names with players still staking a claim for regular involvement.
Starting XI:
Tottenham: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Davies, Robertson; Tonali, Bergvall, Solomon, Gallagher, Tel; Solanke.
On the bench, De Zerbi has options in almost every area, from proven Premier League firepower to academy hopefuls desperate for a window of opportunity.
Subs: Danso, Richarlison, Takai, Dubravka, Donley, Scarlett, Moore, Tyrese Hall, Russell-Denny, Melia, Kyerematen, Yang, Ajayi, Hardy, Williams-Barnett, Byrne, Tingey, Tye Hall.
For some, this is a tune‑up. For others, it is an audition.
What comes after Sydney
When the final whistle blows in Sydney, Tottenham’s attention snaps back to north London. The long-haul flights, open training sessions and unfamiliar backdrops will give way to something more serious, more structured.
Three more friendlies await before the Premier League starts. Getafe provide one test, while Hoffenheim will face Spurs twice as De Zerbi sharpens his side for the real thing.
The derby in Sydney might be a friendly on paper. For players fighting for places and a manager shaping his first Premier League campaign with this group, it feels like the last chance to make a loud impression before the season’s real noise begins.
