4 of 6

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

Nabil Bentaleb: B

Bentaleb will still be on a high after a good World Cup with Algeria concluded a first half of 2014 which saw him break into the Tottenham first team. The midfielder will almost certainly benefit from these unanticipated experiences as he continues his development.

The 19-year-old has proven himself to be a capable Premier League midfielder already. Sherwood trusted in his ability to get even better with more match time. Pochettino might not be quite such a backer initially, but he will find it hard to ignore Bentaleb soon enough.

Etienne Capoue: A-

Injury struck Capoue twice last season, just after he joined and in February, both times disrupting gathering momentum for the midfielder. If his pre-season form is anything to go by, the Frenchman is looking to make up for lost time.

Though up against lesser opposition from Major League Soccer, Capoue was dominant in defensive midfield. Mopping up loose balls and covering for his defenders, the teams rarely got a look-in when he was on the pitch.

Tom Carroll: D

After a positive start versus Seattle Sounders, Carroll's performances diminished somewhat over the course of Spurs' tour across the pond. His passing was still sound, his movement beneficial to the team moving forward. But compared to others like Capoue and Ryan Mason, he cut a less authoritative figure.

Selected for the Spurs XI that faced Dagenham & Redbridge rather than the senior side who faced Celtic in Finland, Carroll's first-team prospects are looking a little less promising now.

Mousa Dembele: C

Dembele did not quite reach the peaks of his first season with Tottenham last time around, especially into the new year. Not as involved in Belgium's World Cup campaign as he would have liked, his resulting later return might count against him.

Others have impressed during Dembele's absence from the first weeks of pre-season. The dynamic midfielder has the talent to convince Pochettino he can be an integral part of his team but has to go about proving it now.

Lewis Holtby: B+

As much as anyone at Tottenham, Holtby is doing his utmost to take advantage of the fresh start offered by Pochettino's appointment. In this regard, the absence of several team-mates recovering from their World Cup exertions has given him a welcome chance to impress.

Scoring goals and putting in lively showings on both sides of the ball, the hard-working German's efforts appear they might suit the demanding attacking style of his new manager. A question mark remains as to whether Pochettino will ultimately opt for others he perceives as being more technically adept.

Ryan Mason: B+

This writer was as guilty as anyone in overlooking Mason as a possible contributor for Tottenham under Pochettino. Given the chance to play this pre-season, he has been one of the club's best performers—assertive, hungry and demonstrating a great range of passing.

The 23-year-old has been mostly recognised as an attacking midfielder up until now in his various loan spells (although not totally limited by that label). With no top-flight experience, it would be a big call from his manager to throw him into the mix, but not a decision without merit after this summer.

Paulinho: C-

Paulinho had an eventful World Cup to say the least. Part of Brazil's tumultuous campaign on home soil, his performances largely flattered to deceive (though he was not alone there).

The midfielder has not become a bad player overnight by any means. There were enough glimpses of his box-to-box quality last season to show why Spurs bought him. Just how his particular brand of talent fits into Pochettino's quick, urgent style remains to be seen.

Sandro: C



A virus kept Sandro out of contention for Tottenham in North America, a stroke of misfortune that may prove costly given Capoue's standout showings in defensive midfield.

The Brazilian was back in action against Celtic and still has time to prove himself to his new manager. After almost four years at Tottenham he will be desperate to finally have a season uninterrupted by injury and a boss who trusts in him to look after things in midfield like he knows how.