Tottenham fans are calling on Roberto De Zerbi to build his squad around Dane Scarlett after the 22-year-old struck the opener in Spurs’ 2-0 pre-season win over Auckland FC in New Zealand.
Scarlett Shines in Front of Record Crowd
The forward broke the deadlock in the 12th minute at a rain-soaked Eden Park, reacting quickest to fire home the rebound after Manor Solomon’s initial effort was saved by Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud. It marked his first goal of the pre-season campaign, having already featured in the opening victory over MK Dons. Richarlison doubled the lead in the second half from a Mathys Tel cutback to seal the win in front of a crowd of more than 40,000, a new attendance record for a men’s football match in New Zealand.
A Youthful Statement Under De Zerbi
De Zerbi handed opportunities to a host of academy graduates for the fixture, opting for an extremely young lineup on a cold, wet afternoon in Auckland. Scarlett led the line alongside Solomon, while Archie Gray wore the captain’s armband and provided the pass that set up the opening goal.
Speaking after the match, De Zerbi made clear that age is no barrier to selection under his management. The Italian explained that when picking his squad, he never looks at a player’s age, only their qualities and potential. He praised the young players for their performance, particularly in the first half, noting they played with clarity, the right spirit, and the right mentality.
Perfect Start to the Tour
The victory extended Tottenham’s flawless start to pre-season, with the club now boasting two wins and two clean sheets from their opening two fixtures. De Zerbi confirmed there were no fresh fitness concerns to report, calling the clean sheet and injury-free outing important news ahead of the new season.
What’s Next for Spurs
Tottenham’s tour continues in Australia, where they will face Sydney FC before rounding off their pre-season schedule against Chelsea. For Scarlett, another impressive display will only strengthen the growing belief among supporters that the academy product deserves a central role in De Zerbi’s plans as the Premier League season approaches.
