Eagle eyed Tottenham fans spot error as team sheet leaves fans confused

An eyebrow or two was raised when Tottenham released their line-up for a pre-season friendly against Sydney FC.

There was plenty of star power in the starting XI, including Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Mathys Tel.

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Getting shirty

Conor Gallagher, who joined the club last January, was also among the starters and would wear the No. 8 shirt.

But, strangely enough, he wasn’t the only Spurs player listed in the matchday squad to be given that same shirt number.

On the bench, club-record signing Sandro Tonali was also listed with the No. 8 shirt.

One fan spotted the supposed error and wrote: “Tonali number 8?”

Another added: “Editing error, Tonali is 16 not 8.”

Gallagher is the true owner of the number, having changed from No. 22 in June.

The No. 8 previously belonged to Yves Bissouma, who was released at the end of the 2025/26 season.

As for Tonali, who joined from Newcastle earlier this summer for £100million, he has been assigned the No. 16 shirt.

And that was the number on the back of his shirt when he came on at half-time.

Tonali is no stranger to the No. 8 having worn it throughout his stint with the Magpies.

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No Fernandes

There was concern from Spurs fans that £85m signing Mateus Fernandes was absent from the team sheet.

The Portuguese midfielder has played in their first two pre-season games following his move from West Ham.

Recent videos saw him standing on the sidelines while his teammates trained, sparking injury fears.

However, those concerns have reportedly been allayed with manager Roberto De Zerbi managing the minutes of several first-team players.

Time will Tel

Regardless of who wore which shirt, the contest represented a valuable hit-out for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

Tel opened the scoring for Spurs against the Sky Blues at Allianz Stadium with a stunning free-kick.

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Situated just outside Sydney’s 18-yard box, Tel curled a superb effort into the top right hand corner.

Tel’s strike was the high point of a dominant half from Spurs, who fashioned plenty of chances but couldn’t increase their lead.

Sydney also had an opportunity of their own when Rhys Youlley let rip with a dipping effort that forced Spurs goalkeeper Martin Dubravka into a smart stop.

Dubravka also sported a wry smile when Sydney striker Mathias Macallister attempted to lob him from distance, only for the ball to sail just wide of the post.