Conte has got his Tottenham stars more than up for the fight, but will need time to get balance

Tottenham ended their week in South Korea with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla, with Harry Kane on the target for the third time in two games but what will Antonio Conte take from the game in Suwon?

His players are fired-up and ready to engage…

The Spurs boss wants his team to have fighting spirit and there was plenty of needle on show in what was supposed to be a preseason friendly, with hefty tackles and a half-time skirmish when Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel was left with blood streaming from his mouth after a clash with Son Heung-min.

Son caught Montiel, accidentally it seemed, with his left elbow as he skipped across him to win the ball. Once he picked himself up off the floor, Argentine Montiel took issue with the challenge and squared up to Son, who responded by throwing a shoulder into his chest.

There was an apparent physical exchange between Son and Gonzalo Montiel in the first half

Son drew blood from Gonzalo Montiel in a heated moment at the end of the first half

Son drew blood from Gonzalo Montiel in a heated moment at the end of the first half

The initial blow appeared accidental but soon escalated with several players involved

The initial blow appeared accidental but soon escalated with several players involved

Cristian Romero and Richarlison were first on the scene as the incident drew players towards it. Even those who had already made their way off for the half-time interval turned on their heels and returned to the pitch as tempers flared.

Lucas Moura is an option at wing-back…

For the second time in two pre-season games, Lucas Moura found himself at right wing-back. The Brazilians is one of those happy to play anywhere, and give his all. He performed capably in the role and offered glimpses of creative flair when he got onto the ball in the final third.

Lucas Moura has played at wing back twice this pre-season in Ivan Perisic's absence

Lucas Moura has played at wing back twice this pre-season in Ivan Perisic’s absence

 In truth, Lucas was probably playing there because of Conte’s desire to give all his senior players at least 45 minutes. Ivan Perisic is still not fit enough to play and the Spurs boss needed Matt Doherty to share the burden with Ryan Sessegnon on the left. 

Even so, Lucas is clearly in his thoughts as a potential wing-back and maybe at times when Spurs are searching for a goal and want as many creative forces on the pitch as they can.

Erik Lamela once again shining in the summer…

Some players simply sparkle in pre-season and Erik Lamela drops firmly into the category. As a Tottenham player, Lamela made a habit of producing something to catch the eye in the summer months, fuelling hope before the rigours of the Premier League season took their toll.

Here, playing for Sevilla, Lamela delivered a sweet reminder of his quality when he pinged a difficult chance, which came flashing his way on the bounce, against a post with a swish of his left boot. He also left a bit of something on a few Spurs players so that hasn’t changed either.

Midfielder Erik Lamela impressed for Sevilla against his former club Tottenham

Midfielder Erik Lamela impressed for Sevilla against his former club Tottenham

Son Kane telepathy intact…

Good news for Spurs is that the Son-Kane axis appears to be in perfect working order. They linked up well in the first game of the tour against Team K League and combined for the opening goal against Sevilla. 

Son’s run and skilful turn took him into a crowded penalty area but he was able to poke the ball out and Kane was in exactly the right place. 

One assured first touch and clinical finish later and Tottenham were ahead, five minutes into the second half. On the evidence of their 45 minutes with Richarlison in the first half, it could take time for them to develop a similar understanding with the new Brazilian striker. 

Ivan Rakitic levelled with a crisp strike from distance.

Son Heung-min put on a fiery display against Sevilla in front of his home crowd in Seoul

Son Heung-min put on a fiery display against Sevilla in front of his home crowd in Seoul

Four into two in midfield will be a dilemma for Conte…

The poise and elegance of Rodrigo Bentancur and the industry and passing of Oliver Skipp have impressed while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stills looks some way from his sharpest and the tour has been a disappointment for Yves Bissouma, who has not been able to play in either game because of a positive covid test.

In the search for a natural balance Conte might be expected to pair one of Skipp and Bentancur, his strategists and tempo setters, with one of Hojbjerg and Bissouma, who both play with more vertically, up and down the pitch. But he will need more time to fine tune this department.

Spurs first half 343: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Sanchez; Moura, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon; Richarlison, Kane, Son.

Spurs second half 343: Lloris (Austin 70); Tanganga, Dier, Davies (Fagan-Walcott 85); Royal, Bentancur, Hojbjerg (Sarr 70), Doherty; Kulusevski, Kane (Parrott 70), Son (Gil 70).

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk