Marcos Senesi has arrived at Hotspur Way to begin his Tottenham career, less than two weeks after representing Argentina in the World Cup final and just over three weeks before the new Premier League season kicks off. The Argentine centre back, who joined Spurs as a free agent from Bournemouth in June, was pictured in the club’s training facilities alongside fellow returning internationals Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr as preparations intensify for the upcoming campaign.
Senesi’s delayed arrival at his new club came after a late call up to Argentina’s World Cup squad, where he replaced the injured Leonardo Balerdi. The 27 year old defender made two appearances as the Albiceleste reached their second consecutive World Cup final, ultimately falling to a 1-0 defeat against Spain. Ironically, his new Tottenham teammate Pedro Porro featured in the Spanish side that lifted the trophy, creating an intriguing dynamic as the pair prepare to unite in North London. The tournament experience took Senesi’s senior international tally to five caps for his country.
Images released by the club show Senesi undergoing physical testing in the gymnasium, notably clutching a cup of mate tea, the traditional South American beverage favoured by many Argentine players. While he represents one of several significant summer acquisitions for Tottenham, which also include Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke, his integration into Roberto De Zerbi’s squad will be carefully managed following his extended tournament duty. No immediate plans have been confirmed for Senesi to join the main squad currently on their pre season tour in Australia.
Bentancur’s return to training carries particular significance after a challenging period both on and off the pitch. The Uruguayan midfielder endured a bitterly disappointing World Cup as his national team crashed out in the group stages despite his appearance in all three matches. Uruguay managed only draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia before losing a decisive fixture against Spain, ending their campaign in embarrassment. Beyond the tournament disappointment, Bentancur faces a crucial season ahead after missing substantial portions of the previous campaign with a serious hamstring injury that required surgical intervention.
Sarr, meanwhile, had limited involvement in Senegal’s World Cup journey, featuring just twice before the African nation’s elimination at the hands of Belgium in the round of 32. The midfielder will be eager to refocus on club football and build on his development under De Zerbi’s guidance. All three players face an accelerated preparation period as they work to reach match fitness ahead of the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Tottenham’s schedule provides several opportunities for Senesi and the other returning internationals to gain valuable minutes before competitive action resumes. Fixtures against Getafe on August 8 and a double header with Hoffenheim the following weekend will allow De Zerbi to assess his squad depth and experiment with formations. The new manager faces the challenge of integrating multiple high profile summer signings while maintaining the momentum from a squad that has been training together in Australia. How quickly Senesi and his fellow World Cup participants can reach peak condition may well determine whether Tottenham can mount a serious challenge when the season begins in earnest.
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