My preview of Spurs under 21’s participation in the 2019 Tournoi Europeen:

Our development squad will be competing in the annual Tournoi Europeen which starts on Friday in Brittany, France. Regular participants in this tournament over the last couple of years Spurs who won the competition back in 2017 will be looking to retain their crown however, tough that objective may be. This prestigious pre-season tournament is celebrating its 22nd birthday this year and once again it includes a whole host of top clubs who are competing in it. The tournament is split into two groups and Wayne Burnett’s side have been in group B along with Stade Rennais, SM Caen and RC Strasbourg. Three good technical teams (in particular Stade Rennais) who Spurs will have to be at their best to beat and finish top of group B. The other group contains Standard De Liège, OGC Nice, EA Guingamp and Stade Brestois. If Spurs are to reach the final then they will have to top group B. I would expect that Wayne Burnett’s side will look similar to the ones which have been used in our pre-season friendlies against both Ebbsfleet United and Dulwich Hamlet however, there could of course be one or two surprises in there. Spurs will be without a number of important players to due injury for this tournament. They include Marcus Edwards and TJ Eyoma. Furthermore it is unknown whether or not Samuel Shashoua will return from his post season holiday in time to represent Spurs. Playing in this renowned tournament is a great way to start the 2019/20 season and I’m sure that there will be some fantastic football on display. I will be travelling to Brittany to report on the tournament and I shall have my in-depth match reports published on the day of the games.

My message of support to the team: This prestigious tournament provides our lads with the invaluable experience of playing in a different country and testing themselves against different footballing styles and cultures. The 2017 winners of this tournament, Spurs will be looking to retain their crown and I believe that this current development side have both the quality and the endurance to do exactly that. I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck for the tournament and I hope that they enjoy the experience. 

The Spurs squad that I’m predicting will travel to France: Edward Smith (Tr), Joshua Oluwayemi, Maxwell Statham, Jubril Okedina, Jonathan Dinzeyi, Luis Binks, Tariq Hinds, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Armando Shashoua, Paris Maghoma, Elliot Thorpe, Dilan Markanday, Maurizio Pochettino, Shilow Tracey, Rayan Clarke, Rodel Richards, Kazaiah Sterling, Enock Asante. 

Doubtful: Brandon Austin, Samuel Shashoua, Dennis Cirkin, Phoenix Patterson, Maximus Tainio, Marcus Edwards.

Injured/unavailable: TJ Eyoma, Malachi Walcott, J’Neil Bennett, Jeremie Mukendi.

Spurs’ schedule: 

Day 1 (26th of July): Spurs v Stade Rennais (kick off – 12:30 PM CET)

Day 2 (27th of July): Spurs v SM Caen (kick off – 10:AM CET) 

Spurs v RC Strasbourg (kick off – 18:00 PM CET) 

Day 3 (28th of July): TBC.