New-look Tottenham are bigger, tougher and stronger after a summer of Roberto De Zerbi, as Mikey Moore bags brace in 3-0 thumping of Hoffenheim

The first glimpse for many of Roberto De Zerbi’s summer of work came with evidence of a stronger and more muscular Tottenham.

Two goals by Mikey Moore after the opener from Richarlison swept Hoffenheim aside in front of a pre-season crowd of nearly 55,000.

Most of those absent are expected to be involved in another game against Hoffenheim behind closed doors at the training ground on Sunday.

What do you get for £100million these days? Well, in Sandro Tonali’s case, you get power and authority at the heart of the team, which is something Spurs have lacked for some time.

Tonali was the source of the opening goal, a glimpse of his glide on the ball with a sweet first touch to open passing angles and release left back Andy Robertson whose first time cross was swept in by Richarlison.

Academy favourite Mikey Moore bagged a brace as Tottenham enjoyed a confident pre-season showing at home

But his provider Sandro Tonali was one of the most eye-catching players on Saturday afternoon

Off the ball, the £100m signing from Newcastle oozes confidence, which spreads to those around him.

Tonali operated in a midfield trio with Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, most often with two deep and Gallagher pushing on as a No.10 but with a little licence to roll. As a unit they were stronger and more muscular than Spurs have been in this department in recent seasons.

Bergvall is still hankering after a move in search of more regular football and commanding interest from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, no doubt expecting to lose his place when £85m signing Mateus Fernandes is fully fit and available.

The Swede looks comfortable and more mature alongside Tonali. Often the deepest of the trio, demanding the ball from the centre halves, Bergvall caught the eye in the first half, rolling past the first challenge and driving forward in a way Yves Bissouma did in the early days of Ange Postecoglou.

Clean sheet but Spurs offered up chances in the first half. Adam Hlozek carved through the centre and hit the bar. Toni Kinsky made saves and Wouter Burger glanced a free header wide.

They were more solid in the second half although Kinsky and his centre halves took chances in possession, presumably under orders to play out, into the feet of Tonali or Bergvall or through the lines to Richarlison or the wide men rolling inside.

Marcos Senesi made it through 80 minutes, his first football since coming on as a substitute in the World Cup final for Argentina. Senesi was probably pleased to be back in the dressing room when Pedro Porro came out pre-match to parade his winners’ medal

Overall, though Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke were defensively strong and aggressive which will satisfy De Zerbi. They dominated in the air and protected Kinsky, who made some excellent saves.

Up front still looks light at times and yet scored three. Richarlison was on target and the biggest cheers of the day were reserved for Moore, the academy graduate deployed on the right wing who scored two in the second half, both created by Mathys Tel on the opposite flank.

A week earlier, against Getafe, Moore had let too much escape him at the back post but here he made up ground to make sure he was on the end of the first and finished the second with a tidy touch and angled finish.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Senesi (Hardy 81), Robertson; Bergvall (Donley 88), Tonali; Moore (Adewole 81), Gallagher (Hall 81), Tel; Richarlison (Elliott-Parris 81).

Subs: Austin, Takai, Byrne.