Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte had particular praise for Dejan Kulusevski's "big impact" from following a dominant win over Southampton.

A 4-1 victory in north London on Saturday marked Spurs' biggest opening-day victory since beating Aston Villa 3-0 in August 1986.

Kulusevski was the star of the show, assisting Ryan Sessegnon's equaliser before adding his own name to the scoresheet in the second half, taking his impressive Premier League record to six goals and nine assists in 17 matches.

He crafted three chances for team-mates and finished with a hugely impressive 92.1 per cent passing accuracy, while also making four tackles – proof of his ability to work back defensively.

"Dejan made a big impact but also last season. He and Rodrigo [Bentancur] integrated really good with the squad," Conte told BBC Sport.

"Dejan has continued in this way but he has to continue to work in this way with his behaviour and ambition. 

"He has a lot of ambition – he wants to become one of the best players in his role. I think this ambition is good, if he is humble and works to continue to work he can do that."

Spurs' win came without Conte handing starts to any of his six additions so far in the transfer window and believes the performance displays the work he has undergone with the squad in recent months.

"It was a perfect start for us, despite going behind. We started well because we were leading the game but we conceded a goal but after this we continue to play and we continued to believe in what we are working on in the training sessions," he added.

"I liked the game a lot for the result but especially the way in which the result was created – creating many chances to score, good possession, good high and medium pressure and we were good when we lost the ball and the intensity to try and get it back.

"I saw a lot of positive things, but we are only in the first game. Today we have seen summer work with my players."

Harry Kane is "very happy" heading into the new season at Tottenham, according to head coach Antonio Conte, who is pushing for the club to achieve "something incredible".

Spurs rallied from a slow start to the 2021-22 season to secure a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo with Conte in November.

Kane entered last season with his future shrouded in speculation amid interest from Manchester City, and he scored just once under Nuno in the Premier League before the coach was axed.

Better form from the England captain followed under Conte as he netted 16 league goals across the remainder of the campaign – including five in the final five matches of the season as Tottenham pipped rivals Arsenal to fourth place.

With Kane far more settled ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, Conte believes his star striker is in a good mindset.

"Harry is very happy," the coach said. "I see him very happy and totally involved in this process and the club. I like to see him this way with this desire and this will.

"He's the first player that's understanding that we're moving in the right direction. I'd like to have the best satisfaction with my players. "

"We need to be ambitious. We have to give 120 per cent of our capacity, we need to try and do something important for the club, but target to be better than last season."

Conte is targeting success with Spurs but recognises he has to "be realistic" while understanding the excitement of the supporters.

"For sure I'm excited because I'm living this time with joy. We are going in the right way," he added.

"We have just started a path, that if we are good to follow, we can reach an important level in the future. But I can't talk about winning the Champions League, Premier League, it would be arrogant. I feel that we have started a good path.

"I'm a dreamer for sure, but I have to be realistic. If you are a dreamer and work hard then it can bring you something incredible.

"But you have to know the reality. It's good for our fans to be excited."

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has outlined an aim to "win the Champions League and Premier League" ahead of his side's Premier League opener against Southampton this weekend.

Spurs finished last season strongly to pip rivals Arsenal to fourth place and Champions League qualification.

They have since been very active in the transfer window in order to beef up their squad as they look for silverware this upcoming campaign, having not lifted a trophy since 2008.

Richarlison, Everton's top goalscorer last season, arrived in a £60million deal, while Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet, on loan, have all also been signed.

This business has raised expectations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but that is no issue for Conte, who has himself set lofty targets.

When asked what a successful season would look like for Spurs, Conte told reporters: "We want to win the Champions League and the Premier League.

"I think my target and the club's target is to try to continue to improve, to develop the process we have started seven months ago.

"It doesn't mean that if you lift a trophy, or you win the Premier League or Champions League, or you get a place in the Champions League, that you have achieved your target.

"It means that we have to try to develop in every aspect, because my experience tells me that we are going in the right direction."

Conte revealed midfielder Oliver Skipp will not feature against Southampton on Saturday, while Bissouma may also be absent.

"In this moment, we have only one player who I'm sure we will miss against Southampton, and that is Oliver Skipp," Conte explained on Thursday.

"About Bissouma, I think we have another day or two to check his physical condition. Nothing serious, but I don't want to take any risks for the next games.

"Tomorrow, we have another training session to make an evaluation about him.”

It is just over two months since the 2021-22 season ended in drama, with Manchester City clinching the title thanks to a stunning comeback win over Aston Villa.

That dashed Liverpool's hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, as Jurgen Klopp's side – who would go on to lose in the Champions League final six days later – settled for second.

The same top two could battle for the title again this season, and despite both Klopp and Pep Guardiola emphasising the strength of other sides in the league, some would say it is hard to see anybody being able to match their consistency, though Liverpool do have to learn without Sadio Mane, while City might need to get used to Erling Haaland.

Liverpool gained some small form of revenge by beating City 3-1 in the Community Shield on Saturday, with Haaland struggling, so it's 1-0 in the rivalry stakes in favour of Klopp heading into the campaign, though the Reds manager knows that does not mean much.

There will be stiff competition for places in the top four and, of course, the Champions League.

Chelsea have brought in Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, but Thomas Tuchel and new owner Todd Boehly want more star signings, while Arsenal and their north London rivals Tottenham have been busy bolstering their squads.

Erik ten Hag is in place at Manchester United, but uncertainty surrounds the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Red Devils have so far been frustrated in their attempts to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.

Here, three Stats Perform writers share their thoughts on who will feature in the Premier League's top four come the end of the campaign.

Patric Ridge 

1. Manchester City

City were not at their best in the Community Shield, though Guardiola was keen to stress that his side have only been back together for three weeks, and they did seem rather undercooked. Haaland's competitive debut was one to forget as, as well as being outshone by Liverpool new boy Darwin Nunez, he hit the bar from six yards out. It might take time, but Haaland – who will have a timely break during the World Cup as Norway did not qualify – is too good not to thrive in this City team, even one that has sold three first-team regulars. They had just too much for Liverpool last season, and with Mane gone, expect the same outcome this term.

2. Liverpool 

If 2020-21 was an off-year for Liverpool, then last season was a glorious return to form. They fell just short in the league and in Europe, but won both the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Mane's departure to Bayern Munich was something of a blow, but the Reds already had Nunez through the door, fresh from his stunning, 34-goal campaign with Benfica, while there is little to separate Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne as the league's best players. Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz add another dimension to a world-class attack. Finish above this team, and you are champions.

3. Chelsea

It has been something of a frustrating transfer window so far for Chelsea. Sterling and Koulibaly have arrived, but that has not necessarily strengthened the squad, with club-record signing Romelu Lukaku having re-joined Inter on loan and defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen having left for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Tuchel wants more, and Boehly is attempting to deliver, with Marc Cucurella a rumoured target, while another centre-back is said to be on the list too. Chelsea's business might well drag on, but they should have enough to edge out Arsenal, Spurs and United to third.

4. Arsenal

It is easy to forget, given the nature of their capitulation, that Arsenal were in the box-seat to secure a Champions League place until the final week of last season, and Mikel Arteta's side have made swift moves. It is hoped Gabriel Jesus will be the poacher Arsenal have lacked and Oleksandr Zinchenko is a fine addition. Fabio Vieira is a promising understudy to the excellent Martin Odegaard, who will be supported by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli or Emile Smith Rowe. Spurs have strengthened, but with Antonio Conte's tendency to boil over if things do not go to plan, and the likelihood their players will be relied on heavily by their national teams at the World Cup, this could be Arsenal's year.

 

Ben Spratt

1. Manchester City

City were the best team in the Premier League before they made perhaps the signing of the close-season, so why would they not still be the side to beat? Of course, the departure of Sterling could have a big impact, given his knack for vital goals, but Jack Grealish will have a bigger role and has already linked up with Haaland in pre-season. Julian Alvarez adds more depth to that attack, while Kalvin Phillips does likewise in midfield. It is tough to spot a weakness.

2. Liverpool

It would be tough to justify Liverpool finishing second, not first, were their rivals not so outstanding. The Reds are right there with them, but they have not shown quite the same consistency as City over previous seasons, and it is asking a lot for Nunez to arrive from Portugal – where he enjoyed only one truly prolific season – and immediately replicate the performance levels of Mane.

3. Tottenham

Spurs have plenty going for them, and there have been some suggestions they could even trouble the top two. When we come to write our lists of winners and losers of the transfer window, Tottenham will belong firmly in the former group, and those exciting new charges – Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Djed Spence arguably all improve the first XI – are being guided by a proven winner in Conte. But the gap to City and Liverpool was huge; third place would still be a great achievement.

4. Chelsea

Tottenham may not quite belong to that elite tier, but they might also argue there is another gulf between third and fourth. Neither Chelsea, Arsenal nor United could really be surprised if they fell short of Champions League football. Like Spurs, Arsenal have enjoyed a successful transfer window, but it is difficult to have faith in a team who collapsed so spectacularly last season. For all their own frustrations in the market, I'm backing Chelsea to find a way.

 

John Skilbeck

1. Manchester City

City and Liverpool finished with over 90 points each last season, and the previous time that happened, in 2018-19, it was followed by a dramatic drop-off from Guardiola's reigning champions. The dethroned Manchester giants finished 18 points adrift as Liverpool captured the 2019-20 Premier League title. Yet I fancy City to take the new season's trophy, and probably by a similarly wide margin. Haaland might need a little time to adapt; after all, his former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho has not found it a cakewalk to transfer his Bundesliga form across to Manchester United. But judge Haaland not by one stinking Community Shield miss but by his excellence over the last three years. City will have to reconfigure to accommodate a pure number nine, swapping Sterling for St Erling, but don't expect their winning habit to alter one jot.

2. Chelsea

The post-Abramovich era is here, and Todd Boehly is pulling the strings when it comes to transfers now. Newcomers Sterling and Koulibaly are proven performers, and while the loss of Rudiger is a blow, offloading Lukaku made complete sense. Better to take firm and decisive action than allow any unhappiness to fester and potentially spread. Chelsea had a troubling amount of injuries last season, with Ben Chilwell particularly missed, and in March coach Thomas Tuchel spoke of a "physical overload". If they are in a better place this term, expect them to fly. Tuchel's squad is loaded with first-class talent, more could soon arrive, and they look well set to pip Liverpool to second.

3. Liverpool

The loss of Mane is massive. Among the 24 players from Europe's top five leagues who managed at least 30 games and 20 goals last season, taking all competitions into account, Mane ranked sixth for the most dribbles attempted (128), eighth for the most chances created (66), third for the most through balls attempted (17) and second for the most passes into the final third (137). You can try to replace that all-round package, but Nunez is far from like-for-like and Roberto Firmino appears to be a rapidly fading force. Liverpool have kept Mohamed Salah for the foreseeable future but will need the likes of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz to step up, while midfield may have to cough up more goals than in recent seasons. Klopp's Liverpool went the distance in every competition last season, and at some point that effort is going to take a toll.

4. Manchester United

With a reasonably clean slate, wiped of the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard, there should be optimism coursing through United now the estimable Ten Hag is at the helm. Christian Eriksen ought to prove a fine signing, and Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia can hardly make the defence any worse. In fact, they should significantly pep it up. Will Ronaldo stay? Now there's a knotty saga that could run until deadline day, but would it be such a bad thing if he were to leave? Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Sancho are at the stage where they ought to be giving Premier League defenders regular nightmares, and this might be the campaign where that happens.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma is enjoying playing for Antonio Conte, describing the Italian as "crazy, like me".

The Mali international made his first start for Spurs in their final pre-season friendly against Roma in Haifa, Israel on Saturday, which the Serie A side won 1-0 through a Roger Ibanez header.

Bissouma joined Tottenham from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported fee of £25million in June, and he told the club's website he believes Conte will push the north London side onto the next level.

"I'm very happy to be with [Conte] and this club," he said after the Roma game. "He's living football and I like that. I like a coach like him, and I know he can push the team higher and the players as well.

"We are trying to do what he wants, and every training [session] is not easier, but we are working [hard].

"I like him because he's crazy, like me. But good crazy, because he's crazy of football."

Meanwhile, Conte saw the positives despite defeat to former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, although Tottenham's head coach was unhappy with the manor in which his team conceded from a set piece.

"For sure, it was a very tough game, but I think it's good in this way, because in one week, we have to start the season," he said. 

"It's positive to have this type of test, a tough test, and to understand if we want to try to be competitive and try to get a win in every game, we have to continue to go strong in every situation.

"The players know we don't want to lose, even in a friendly game. Tonight, we lost due to a detail, because we conceded a goal from a corner, and we have to pay more attention, because if you want to go to another level, you have to take care of the details."

Antonio Conte wants to stay at Tottenham for "many years" as he builds to make the club a force both domestically and in Europe.

Conte has made a big impact since he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as Spurs head coach in November 2021, guiding the club back into the Champions League with a fourth-placed Premier League finish last season.

The Italian has been backed in the transfer market ahead of the 2022-23 season, bringing in the likes of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet and Djed Spence.

Conte is only under contract until next June, but the former Italy boss says he wants to remain with the London club long term.

He said ahead of Spurs' final pre-season game against Roma on Saturday: "As I've said before, our project, our plan is to try to become competitive, more than the past.

"But you know very well that in football you build something important in one day, one month, one year you have to go step by step and try to increase the quality, increase the number of players in your squad.

"Don't forget that when a team stays in the top four and plays European games you need to face four competitions in the best possible way.

"To do this you need a good squad with good quality. We are trying to do this, but we have just started this process. Last season I think we worked very well to reach a place in the Champions League.

"At the same time I think we exploited problems, like [Manchester] United's problems. Also, in the last three games Arsenal were four points up on us and for this reason we have to continue with the club to build with the players, to continue to improve them.

"They have a lot of space for improvement. This is a young team and we can work for many years together to improve and fight with the best teams in England and in Europe."

Spurs will come up against their former boss Jose Mourinho in this weekend's friendly with Europa Conference League winners Roma at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa, and Conte believes there are comparisons to be drawn between the two clubs.

He said: "I think I'm seeing a similar situation between Roma and Tottenham because both clubs want to build, to go step by step to fight against a team that in the past dominated in Italy, Juventus and also one season Inter Milan.

"For us, [Manchester] City, Liverpool, Chelsea and United, it's a good comparison because we have the same target."

Bayern Munich's Julian Nagelsmann has no problem with being accused of "ignorance" by Joan Laporta as the Barcelona president "has to represent his club."

Nagelsmann questioned Barca's spending spree after they signed Robert Lewandowski from Bayern this month for a fee that could rise to €50million.

Barca had to let Lionel Messi leave a year ago due to their financial crisis, but they have also signed Raphinha and Jules Kounde for big fees ahead of the 2022-23 season, while bringing in Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie on free transfers.

Bayern head coach Nagelsmann stated that Barca are "the only club in the world that can buy players without money" after Lewandowski's switch to Spain.

Laporta responded by stating that Nagelsmann was being ignorant, adding that rival clubs should mind their own business.

Questioned about Laporta's comments ahead of Bayern's DFL-Supercup showdown with RB Leipzig, Nagelsmann told reporters: "It's good that he expresses himself, I would do that too.

"It was just a question from a fan point of view. I have no problem with Laporta speaking out, he has to represent his club."

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte also recently suggested Nagelsmann had been "disrespectful" by expressing his admiration for Harry Kane amid reports the Bundesliga champions could make a move for the England captain.

Nagelsmann says he has a good relationship with Conte, however, as he defended himself for giving honest answers.

He said: "I'll always give my opinion in the future. I don't write down all my answers before the press conference.

"It's coming spontaneously, that's maybe not always the smartest thing. I don't have a problem with Conte or Laporta responding back, that's part of the game.

"It wasn't a dramatic statement, I have a good relationship with Conte."

 

Ben Davies has signed a new contract with Tottenham, keeping him at the club until 2025.

The 29-year-old was one of seven signings upon Mauricio Pochettino's hire as Spurs manager in 2014, and has gone on to make 271 appearances for the club in all competitions.

With Davies coming into his ninth season with Spurs, it has been another busy transfer window for the North London club, who can count Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic among their six signings ahead of the new campaign.

The Wales international revealed Tottenham's upward trajectory and ambition under Antonio Conte made the decision to extend an even easier one, especially in a World Cup year.

"I'm delighted to sign my new contract," he told the club's website. "After last season and the summer this club has had, there's no more exciting time than right now to be at this club.

"I was enjoying my football and when the opportunity came from the club to extend my contract, I was more than happy to do so. I've had some really enjoyable times here, it really feels like home now.

"It's an exciting season for both club and country. It'll be a bit strange, stopping mid-season for that tournament, but I can't wait. It's been a long time since Wales have been there and we've given everything to get there, so you just have to enjoy it."

 

Antonio Conte has suggested Bayern Munich have been "a bit disrespectful" by refusing to rule out a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Kane, who has two years remaining on his Spurs contract, is reportedly being lined up as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski at the Allianz Arena following the prolific Poland captain's switch to Barcelona.

Bayern head coach Nagelsmann has expressed his admiration for the England skipper, but says he knows Kane may be too expensive.

The Bavarian giants' CEO Oliver Kahn had denied that the club are interested in buying Kane during this transfer window, but refused to rule out a move for the 28-year-old further down the line.

Speaking after his talisman Kane netted twice as Tottenham came from behind to beat Rangers 2-1 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, Conte made it clear he was not impressed with Bayern.

"For sure, I'm a coach that doesn't speak about players from another team," the Italian said.

"The situation is very clear at Tottenham and Harry is a very important part of the project. [They are] only rumours, but I don't like to talk about players from another club.

"If I want to do something, I don't do it through the media. Maybe, that's a bit disrespectful for the other club."

Kane has scored five times in three games during pre-season, with Tottenham unbeaten after their 6-3 victory over a K-League XI and 1-1 draw with Sevilla.

The London club complete their preparations for the Premier League campaign against their former boss Jose Mourinho's Roma side next weekend, and Conte is pleased with the shape his squad are in.

"I'm happy because the [Rangers] game wasn't a friendly game; it was a real game," he added.

"The last game they played against West Ham, they won 3-1, and you know the fitness of Rangers is higher. But despite this, I think that we played with a good intensity, a good pressure and a good quality.

"For sure, we can improve because we conceded a goal that we can avoid, but I'm delighted with the attitude and the will and desire that the players are showing me in this pre-season. I'm very happy."

Antonio Conte says Tottenham have invested the "right money" amid a productive transfer window, but called for "patience" as the club look to compete with the Premier League's heavyweights.

Spurs have brought in six new players for the 2022-23 season, signing Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Fraser Forster, Djed Spence and loanee Clement Lenglet.

Richarlison represents the headline purchase for Conte's side, joining from Everton for an initial £50million, while add-ons could take the full figure to a club-record £60m.

Conte has seemingly been granted his wish, having reportedly demanded assurances from chairman Daniel Levy that Tottenham would spend to bolster their squad to compete in Europe and the Premier League.

Though the Italian previously seemed to suggest Spence's arrival was a "club" decision as opposed to his own, Conte hailed Spurs' recruitment drive thus far.

"When you go into the transfer market you try not to waste money but, up until now, I think we invested the right money," he said.

"People have been surprised by the timing but when the vision is clear I feel confident. Fabio [Tottenham managing director Paratici] is helping a lot in this situation."

While delighted with the incomings, Conte insisted he will need time and patience to allow his players to settle and compete in the English top flight and Champions League.

He added: "Then I go to train and try to improve the team and the squad. We are working very well, but it is important to know we need patience.

"We have just started this path and other teams are signing important players and spending a lot of money."

Tottenham are still reportedly in the market for a creative midfielder to play in behind the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski.

But the priority appears to have now shifted to the outgoings, with Japhet Tanganga, Bryan Gil, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks among those likely to depart.

Djed Spence says joining Tottenham fulfils his dream of becoming a Premier League player and now he cannot wait to learn from some of his star Spurs team-mates.

The wing-back joined Tottenham from Middlesbrough for a fee in the region of £20million including add-ons on Tuesday, signing a five-year contract.

Spence, 21, became the sixth arrival of the transfer window for Spurs, joining Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet.

"It's a dream come true to play in the Premier League at a big club like Tottenham Hotspur," Spence said to the Spurs website after his move was completed.

"It's amazing, I'm thankful that I'm here and that I'm going to get the opportunity to play for this club.

"Of course, everyone wants to play in the Premier League. As a kid, you watch it from when you're young, so it was a target of mine and I've finally reached it, so I'm happy.

"Obviously this is a big club with Champions League football as well, and you've got some of the best players who play here, so it's a privilege to be here and I can't wait to get going.

"[This environment] seems very good and it will help me develop as a player a lot. I can obviously learn from other people and the experience that they have.

"From a young age, to go from watching some of the players on TV to now playing with them – it's going to be great, and I'm excited to learn from them and take in anything they can offer me.

"In the Premier League you have high-intensity, good technical players – it will be hard, but I'm ready for the challenge. I'm excited to hit the ground running, hopefully play and try to impress.

"We have a great manager too – from what I've seen of him, he's a top manager and I can't wait to work under him."

Spence fell out of favour at Middlesbrough and was subsequently sent on loan to Nottingham Forest, where he made 42 Championship appearances in the 2021-22 season.

The England Under-21 international impressed as Forest earned Premier League promotion to return to the highest level for the first time in 23 years, and also shone in the FA Cup against top-flight opposition.

Spence was a threat at both ends of the pitch, scoring two goals and assisting four, and will likely suit Antonio Conte's 3-5-2 system as a right wing-back, competing with the likes of Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal for a place in the side.

"It's been a long journey in my career so far; it's been hard at times, but it’s been good as well, and I've been working hard to get to where I am now," added Spence.

"I try to bring excitement, skill and speed when I play – I just want to excite the fans and to play well. That’s the most important thing – when you excite your team and your fans and play well, it breeds confidence, and confidence is one of the biggest things in football."

Forest were reportedly interested in signing Spence on a permanent deal, but the lure of Champions League football helped secure the defender for Conte's side.

Spence will hope to play with freedom down the right side for Conte, having attempted (187) and completed (76) the most dribbles among Championship defenders last season.

Asked what he thought when he hears the words Tottenham Hotspur, Spence replied: "Attacking football, exciting football and obviously with the new manager coming in, a winning mentality."

Tottenham have completed the signing of Djed Spence from Middlesbrough for a fee in the region of £20million, with add-ons included.

Spence fell out of favour at Middlesbrough under Neil Warnock, and was subsequently sent on loan to Nottingham Forest, where he made 42 Championship appearances in the 2021-22 season.

​The England Under-21 international impressed as Forest earned Premier League promotion to return to the highest level for the first time in 23 years, and also shone in the FA Cup against top-flight opposition.

Spence was a threat at both ends of the pitch, scoring two goals and assisting four, while competing for the most duels (508) among defenders in the Championship.

The 21-year-old will likely suit Antonio Conte's 3-5-2 system as a right wing-back after joining the Premier League side on a five-year deal on Tuesday.

Tottenham said: "We are delighted to announce the signing of Djed Spence from Middlesbrough. The right-back has signed a contract that will run until 2027."

Forest were reportedly interested in signing Spence on a permanent deal, but the lure of Champions League football helped secure the defender for Conte's side.

Spence became the sixth arrival of the transfer window for Spurs, joining Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet.

The former Middlesbrough wing-back will hope to play with freedom down the right side for Conte, having attempted (187) and completed (76) the most dribbles among Championship defenders last season.

Spence will aim to get his first taste of Premier League action when Tottenham host Southampton on August 6.

Lucas Moura insists he is committed to Tottenham amid uncertainty over his future, as he expressed his desire to end a trophyless spell in north London next season.

The Brazil international revealed last month that the 2022-23 campaign could be his last with Spurs, though the forward's agent was quick to suggest his client remains an important part of Antonio Conte's plans.

Moura may have to settle for a rotational role, or play at wing-back as Conte previously hinted, due to the arrival of Richarlison in the off-season, with the former Everton man joining Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min in Spurs' attack.

With just a year left on his contract, on which Tottenham hold an option for a further 12 months, Moura said his planned return to Brazil can wait until he has experienced success under Conte.

"I will turn 30 in August. I'm getting old already, but I feel very good mentally and physically," he told football.london. "I'm very, very happy at Tottenham. I love the club. I love the fans.

"I love everyone who works in the club, but of course I have a plan to go back to Brazil one day. I have at least one year in my contract, maybe two.

"I don't know if the club will want me to sign another contract but I'm happy here. I just want to have the best season this season. 

"I just want to win a trophy because this has been my objective here since the first day I arrived in the club, and I believe this season I can achieve this, and then we'll see next season what is the desire of the club."

The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker appeared 34 times across the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, scoring two goals and assisting six, while creating 34 chances.

That represented Moura's worst goal return when playing a full season in the English top flight, but he hopes to prove his worth in a bid to feature at the Qatar World Cup for Brazil in November.

"I have other targets, which are to go back to the national team," he added. "Why not play in the World Cup at the end of the year? It's very difficult but anything is possible.

"I have this hope and I will work for this. These are the two most important targets for now."

Moura's compatriot Richarlison is another who will aim to feature in Qatar for Brazil following his big-money move from Everton.

The 25-year-old scored (10) and assisted (five) more Premier League goals than any other Everton player last term, and Moura believes Conte's new signing could be a great asset.

"I met him two years ago on the national team. Quality player, very good guy, he will help us a lot because he has some experience in the Premier League," he continued.

"He is strong. His mentality is very good. He's a great addition for us. He's a very simple guy, very humble, very funny. It's always good to have a guy like this in the squad and I'm happy because he's Brazilian, so I have one more Brazilian with me now!

"He's always ready to play because we see he loves to play football. It's good to have a player like this. 

"This season we can see another Tottenham and I hope we achieve our targets because we have a quality squad and a great manager. We have the quality to win trophies and this is our objective.

"We know how difficult it is because we play in the Premier League and there are a lot of teams that can win. Also, the Champions League we know is not easy, but we have a great squad.

"We have stars like Harry and Sonny. We have a manager who is one of the best. We have a structure, an amazing training ground, an unbelievable stadium, great fans.

"We have everything we need to achieve. Now it depends on us. We need to work hard and show on the pitch we deserve to win."

Harry Kane acknowledged Tottenham have failed to deliver trophies in recent years, but believes Antonio Conte and the new signings will help create "something special" in north London.

Spurs have not won a major trophy since their EFL Cup success back in 2008, though they pipped fierce rivals Arsenal to Champions League qualification in the 2021-22 season.

A run of five goals in the final five league games from Kane guided Tottenham into Europe, the England international finishing the top-flight campaign with 17 goals.

That marked Kane's joint-lowest tally in the Premier League in his eight seasons as a regular, alongside 2018-19, and was down on the 23 goals registered in 2020-21.

But after Conte bolstered his squad with five new signings – Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Richarlison and loanee Clement Lenglet – Kane insists Spurs are on the brink of success.

Asked about his aims for the upcoming season, Kane told Sky Sports: "Just to have another good year, another consistent year to help the team as much as possible, try to score as many goals as I can.

"From a team point of view, [the aim] is always to win trophies. There's a good buzz around the club at the moment but you've got to go out there and perform and show what you can do when it's crunch time.

"We haven't quite done that over years – with this manager, with this squad, we can really push on and try and do something special."

Conte's side opened their pre-season campaign with a 6-3 victory over a select K League XI before sharing the spoils against Sevilla with a 1-1 draw in Japan.

New arrival Richarlison has featured in both those games and is expected to offer stern competition for attacking trio Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Kane.

But Son sees the competition with the "quality" Richarlison, who scored (10) and assisted (five) more Premier League goals than any other Everton player in the 2021-22 season, as a positive.

"Competition is always good. You improve yourself and also your team-mates," he told reporters after the Sevilla friendly.

"We can rotate, or we can have a different style of football, or we can have different movements.

"Adding players like Richy is incredible. He's a quality player so I'm really enjoying that. I've been with him only four days but he's become like a really close friend."

Son will hope for another productive season in front of goal, having shared the Premier League Golden Boot award with Mohamed Salah last season (both scoring 23 goals each).

But the focus will be on how Kane starts the season, having failed to score in his first eight Premier League games of the last term amid uncertainty over whether he would join Manchester City.

"We talked about this last season – Harry didn't score at the start of the season but how many goals did he finish with?" Son added.

"Goals for Harry, I think there is no doubt. We don't have to worry about him scoring goals because he is, for me, the best partner, the best striker in the world still. He's working hard and he's an unselfish player."

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui was full of praise for Antonio Conte and his ability to seamlessly implement his style upon teams, following his side's 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Saturday.

Lopetegui won the only competitive match between the two coaches - Sevilla's 3-2 triumph over Inter in the 2020 Europa League final - but they had to share the result this time, with Ivan Rakitic equalising after Harry Kane's opener in Suwon.

Sevilla had the majority of possession over the opening 45 minutes but their best chance came in transition, with Rafa Mir botching a one-on-one opportunity with Hugo Lloris.

To reinforce their lack of penetration with the ball, Kane scored after Rodrigo Bentancur won the ball high up the pitch in 50th minute, before substitute Rakitic rifled home from the top of the penalty area 14 minutes later.

For his side's first game of the pre-season though, Lopetegui was ultimately content his side could restrict Spurs while revealing his admiration for Conte, believing he can transmit his identity onto every team he coaches.

"They tend to take the initiative and at this moment we have minimised a great team," he said  post-match. "They've had their moments, but we've had a good first game. I am a great admirer of Conte, he has his own stamp that he transfers to all his teams and he has all my admiration and respect.

"They are one of the best teams in England and in the world and at times we surpassed them. We have finished with six footballers from the bench and have played a good game.

"I don't value the result but we have tried to put what we are training on the field into action and the boys have done a good job. We have done a good week of work optimising defensive and offensive aspects."

After achieving their LaLiga points record in 2020-21, Sevilla plateaued last season, finishing 16 points off eventual title winners Real Madrid along with last-16 exits in the Copa del Rey and Europa League.

Lopetegui's side did secure Champions League football for the second consecutive year, finishing fourth in LaLiga ahead of archrivals Real Betis.

Coming off the bench, Rakitic echoed his coach's sentiments, but added that his goal would allow him to approach training with less pressure.

"There was a desire to compete, play, also against a spectacular team. I think we did a great job. To begin with, the truth is that we are very happy," he told Sevilla FC TV post-match.

"The truth is very happy, I think it is important for us to start adding good minutes. It was an intense game, with a lot of rhythm. For the days to come, with a goal like this you work even more comfortably."

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