Spurs' youthful tour vibe explained as squad splits into two groups

The latest from a rewarding trip to Asia

There's a youthful vibe to this Tottenham pre-season tour to Asia. There are two main groups of players in the squad. There are the seniors - or let's say the 21-year-olds and over - and the academy youngsters who played together all through their silverware-laden last season and are a tight-knit group who are just excited to show what they can do.

Then there are those who flit between both groups like the Spurs captain Son Heung-min who looks after everyone. Ben Davies is an approachable senior pro for them, now in his 10th year at the club, as is goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who is only too keen to help guide the young ones. Timo Werner is an experienced, popular character within the squad as he embarks on his first pre-season with the club.

New signings Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, being only 18, sit between the two groups, with Gray in particular knowing a number of the academy boys from the England youth set-up.

Yves Bissouma was presented with the task by Ange Postecoglou a year ago of setting an example to the young players, so the Mali international tries to do that whenever he can.

There are also a couple of duos within the group, with Dejan Kulusevski acting as a big brother to Bergvall, the duo inseparable and rarely seen far from each other's side. Pedro Porro provides a similar function with Alejo Veliz, the young Argentinean striker yet to grasp the English language beyond a basic level.

Porro's English is coming along nicely, to the degree that the Spaniard undertook his first interview in the language for the club following Wednesday's win against Team K League, and he told football.london that he will be ready to do a media one soon. Pape Matar Sarr's English is also improving and it won't be long before he can do similar.

When it comes to those flitting between the groups, vice-captain James Maddison can be a mixed bag. Off the pitch he's a confident presence across the camp with things going well and has been impressed by the talent of the younger players, but on the pitch, it's been noticeable how the 27-year-old midfielder will occasionally shy away from a pass to an academy youngster when they're open and pass instead to those he trusts.

The youngest of them all is 16-year-old Mikey Moore. Everyone trusts young Mikey, probably because few can actually believe he's the age his passport states he is. He's taller and broader than you would expect for a 16-year-old and is likely still growing.