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Five things we learned from Tottenham's impressive 4-2 win over PSG in Orlando

Tottenham celebrate their win over PSG
Tottenham celebrate their win over PSG

Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld scored long-range stunners to see Tottenham to an entertaining 4-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Here’s a look at five things we learned from Orlando after an entertaining win for Spurs in Florida.

Josh Onomah is deployed on the right side again

The 20-year-old struggled to get game time last season and some supporters questioned his ability. But in the summer it became apparent that his role has been part of the problem and has undermined his ability to show his true colours.

Having generally been used on the right side of midfield by Mauricio Pochettino, Onomah excelled for England in a deeper, central position at the Under-20 World Cup, playing a key part as the Young Lions won the tournament.

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He is keen to get more chances to play centrally for Spurs too, and these friendlies seem the perfect time to give him that opportunity. Instead Onomah again found himself on the right of midfield against Paris St Germain in Orlando on Saturday.


It seemed a shame and somewhat unfair, once again limiting his ability to prove himself.

With that said, Pochettino is missing Erik Lamela, Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko – all players who could play on the right flank.

The manager’s use of Onomah might therefore have been somewhat enforced, reflecting a lack of options in the touring party rather than his plans for the academy graduate this season.

It was certainly evident that Onomah wanted to be in central areas against PSG, and his roaming took him all the way over to the left flank on a couple on occasions.

Whether that was by instruction or not, the knock-on effect was that it left right-back Kyle Walker-Peters a little exposed when Spurs’ dangerous opponents countered.

Walker-Peters plays it a little too carefully

Spurs’ right-back position is the primary area of interest following the £50million departure of Kyle Walker to Manchester City.

Will Tottenham replace the England man, or do they feel comfortable moving forward with Walker-Peters as competition for Kieran Trippier?

Given the former has never made a competitive first-team appearance, these friendlies are likely to be instructive – and Walker-Peters was named in the starting line-up against PSG, playing until half time.

In truth it didn’t feel like he really seized his opportunity. While he put in a decent cross to the back post at one stage, he was caught too far upfield when Spurs’ opponents made it 2-2 before the break – a simple pass freed Javier Pastore in the left channel, and he coolly found the top right corner.

Tottenham's team photo
Tottenham’s team photo

In Walker-Peters’ defence, he was not helped by the fact that he was playing alongside a similarly inexperienced centre-back in Cameron Carter-Vickers, rather than Toby Alderweireld. It is a big difference.

The main issue, though, was at the other end of the field. There were a few occasions when Walker-Peters had the chance to run at his opponent one on one, and instead he turned back or inside and looked for a simple pass.

There is something to be said for safety, and the 20-year-old’s caution was entirely understandable. When there is the option of giving the ball to Christian Eriksen and trusting him to work his magic, it takes guts to dash off down the wing instead and risk losing possession for your side, especially as a youngster.

Yet it is also important to show some ambition and confidence when attempting to catch the manager’s eye, and it just felt that Walker-Peters played it a little too safe; that he didn’t back himself enough when he had the space to attack down the flank.

It would be highly unfair to compare the youngster to Walker – now the most expensive defender ever, rightly or wrongly – but Spurs do need a right-back who will offer pace and direct running in the final third.

That is not Trippier’s strenth and, in his next outing, Walker-Peters needs to do more if he wants to show Pochettino that he can be that player.

Carter-Vickers makes the costliest error in Tottenham’s slow start

Spurs could be forgiven for looking a little rusty at the very start of their first pre-season friendly, and rusty they were.

Eric Dier passed the ball straight to an opponent on the edge of his box in the opening moments, but he got away with it. Carter-Vickers was not so lucky.

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The young American defender was always second favourite as he committed to a challenge on the halfway line, and Adrien Rabot found it all too easy to beat him to the ball, roar down the left flank and cross for Edinson Cavani, who broke the deadlock inside six minutes.

It was not the sort of assured display 19-year-old Carter-Vickers would have been hoping for as he tries to impress Pochettino and prove he merits more game time this season.

From the sublime to the ridiculous

Spurs did not take long to level (four minutes to be precise), and it was a goal of top quality which certainly showcased Eriksen’s quality to his American audience at the Camping World Stadium.

Dropping his shoulder to find some space, the Dane took aim from 30 yards and sent a swerving, looping shot over Kevin Trapp, in off the crossbar.

Tottenham went on to take the lead soon after, but in rather different and comedic circumstances. Eric Dier’s exertions in closing down Trapp were rewarded when the hapless goalkeeper’s attempted clearance hit the Spurs midfielder and ricocheted into the net. He had a good laugh. Dier, that is.

Trapp went on to add another disaster to his own personal Howler of the Day competition.

Jan Vertonghen on the ball
Jan Vertonghen on the ball

Moments after the interval, as half-time substitute Harry Kane attempted to latch onto Trippier’s long ball, the PSG keeper came out of his box and handled the ball, being shown a straight red card.

While the Parisians continued to look dangerous in patches, Spurs eventually made their numerical advantage count in the closing stages, with Alderweireld firing home from 25 yards in the 81st minute before Kane smashed home a late penalty.

Few signs of a change in the established order

Pre-season friendlies can be a time when players stake their claims for greater involvement, underline their progress and earn promotions – Harry Winks made the most of his outings in Sydney last year.

On Saturday, however, no-one really advanced their cause and a number of the individual performances felt familiar; like little has changed since May.

In addition to the youngsters, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Vincent Janssen would have been hoping to impress and develop their confidence.


But, while Nkoudou sometimes looked like he might threaten with his pace and trickery, there was no tangible contribution. Janssen freed Ben Davies with a neat pass that almost resulted in a lovely team goal, but the Dutchman was unable to provide a goal threat.

Somewhat predictably, Spurs looked brighter around the box when Kane entered the fray – although his introduction virtually coincided with Trapp’s dismissal, which was of course a major factor.

Meanwhile, the star performers were the usuals – Mousa Dembele, Eriksen and Alderweireld, who found the bottom corner from 25 yards. Trippier also made an impact – his first-time volleyed cross, which is something of a speciality, hit a hand at close range and won the penalty that Spurs converted.

With no new faces, Spurs’ outing against PSG reinforced what we already know –Tottenham have star players and can put together a formidable XI, but their strength in depth leaves something to be desired.

There are still two matches to come in the USA and then another friendly against Juventus at Wembley, so things can change.

But those supporters who have been anxious to see movement in the transfer market, and some reinforcements arriving, will probably feel the same way after watching Saturday’s outing against PSG.

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