Alan Shearer: ‘Solid’ Tottenham man stolen march ahead of signing for starting role

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Alan Shearer has told his Premier League Team of the Week column that Ryan Sessegnon has stolen a march to start ahead of new signing Ivan Perisic for Tottenham – following his display against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Sessegnon, 22, scored only his second goal for Tottenham on Saturday as Spurs got off to the perfect start. The North London club smashed Southampton to win 4-1, Sessegnon scoring his side’s first goal of the Premier League season.

Often seen in Antonio Conte’s system, the wing-back popped up at the back post to score a header. He got ahead of Kyle Walker-Peters to head home a delicious cross from Dejan Kulusevski. But he was also solid throughout the match.

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He came off after 66 minutes, replaced by new signing Perisic. Shearer says, though, that Sessegnon’s display has seen him steal an early march in the fight to start as left wing-back in Conte’s 3-4-3 at this early stage.

“Scored with a great header and produced a solid all-round performance as he stole an early march on Ivan Perisic in the battle for the starting spot at left wing-back,” Shearer said, on the Premier League website.

Shearer: Sessegnon stolen a march on new Tottenham signing Perisic

Coming into the campaign, you would argue that Perisic is the better option on the left of Tottenham’s 3-4-3, and that still remains the case. Sessegnon started on Saturday largely because Perisic is playing catch-up after a calf issue.

But the chances are that when both are fit, Perisic will start. However, Sessegnon might get the first couple of weeks to prove his worth. If that is the case, then Sessegnon has got off to the best possible start. He was excellent on Saturday.

Tottenham are away at Chelsea next Sunday. Conte will be tempted to start the more-experienced Perisic. But after Saturday’s performance at Southampton, he simply cannot drop Sessegnon after his showing – and goal.