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Antonio Conte got a little glimpse into Tottenham's future on Wednesday when he fielded summer signing Richarlison for the first time. Joining from Everton in a £60million deal, the club's new No.9 started through the middle in a front three alongside Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil against Team K League.
Linking up with his fellow countryman early on as a neat flicked teed up an opportunity for Lucas to let fly from distance, he then demonstrated what he is all about not long after with a fine run into the box. Cutting inside his opponent and then rounding the goalkeeper, his touch was slightly heavy and it fell into the path of Emerson Royal, who somehow prodded it wide from close range.
Working hard and putting himself about, the new man also had a couple of rusty moments with his passing when he gave away possession of the ball, although of course that is to be expected in pre-season after a lengthy break since last playing. The 25-year-old did have one chance to open his Spurs account just prior to half-time but he couldn't generate enough power in his header from Emerson's cross as the goalkeeper collected it with ease.
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Giving Tottenham's options across the frontline, Richarlison's versatility was there for all to see after the break as he shifted across to the right flank following Harry Kane and Son Heung-min's introductions. Trying to gain an understanding with his fellow attackers, the new arrival did play the ball through to Son that culminated in Kane netting a free-kick after Team K League had a man sent off for hauling down the South Korean.
Getting a decent amount of minutes under his belt on his Tottenham debut, Conte was pleased with what he saw from his new frontman.
"Yeah. Today I've seen a lot of positive things about Richy. The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions," explained the head coach in his post-match press conference.
"I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure also for Richy in this period he is working and we are working on the tactical aspects with him because he has to go into our idea. At the same time we have to work on the physical aspects for him to be fit. But for sure he is a player that gives me important positions up front.
"He's a player that is a good player, strong and very good to protect the ball and attack the space. Also he made a good assist, I'm very happy that we signed him."
Conte did have to do without Dejan Kulusevski on Wednesday, with the player not risked after leaving Spurs' training session on Monday early with what appeared to be a small calf issue. The Swede formed a lethal understanding on the pitch with Kane and Son following his switch from Juventus but there is also now Richarlison and Lucas in contention for a starting spot.
Richarlison's transfer may have relegated Lucas to fifth in the pecking order but the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man did have some bright moments with some good running, as did Gil on his return to the team after his loan spell at Valencia. Lucas even filled in at right wing-back in the second half following Emerson's substitution as Matt Doherty was utilised on the opposite flank.
Lucas eventually made way in the closing stages, with youngster Troy Parrott one of the four changes. Returning to N17 following such a good loan spell at MK Dons, the Irishman did look full of confidence and tested the goalkeeper with a low effort after cutting inside his marker.
Not looking out of place and working well up front, another loan spell may be in the pipeline for Parrott but the hope is that he will one day be a regular in Conte's Spurs squad. The boss did get a glimpse of the future from his frontline in the 6-3 win and all will be looking to catch his eye again on Saturday when they face Sevilla.
There's a lot more to come from Conte's attack over the coming months and one thing for sure is that no side will be looking forward to facing Tottenham in 2022/23.
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