Tottenham Hotspur face a tricky test on Sunday when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and Antonio Conte could give his side the edge by unleashing new signing Ivan Perisic.
While Ryan Sessegnon impressed in the opening game win against Southampton, Conte should opt for the more experienced Perisic to help nullify the threat posed by Raheem Sterling.
The 33-year-old joined from Inter after starring for the Serie A side as a left wing-back in recent seasons, impressing under Conte as they won the Italian top-flight in the 2020/21 season.
He notched four goals and four assists in that season and would star once again last season, contributing eight goals and seven assists in 35 appearances, averaging a superb 7.22 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
For comparison, Sessegnon would average a disappointing 6.68 rating, contributing no goals and two assists, so it is easy to see why Conte was keen to recruit the Croatian.
The Italian manager spoke about the importance of having the two competing for the starting spot at left wing-back after the win against Southampton, saying:
Who should start vs Chelsea?
Sessegnon
![Sessegnon](https://www.ghanamma.com/sp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2019-11-06T220218Z_1796132101_RC2Y5D9GB0KT_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-RSB-TOT-REPORT-e1606308023818-100x100.jpg)
Perisic
![Perisic](https://www.ghanamma.com/sp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Inter-Milan-star-Ivan-Perisic-looks-on-scaled-e1653812079274-400x400.jpg)
“I am really pleased for Sess, because Sess, first of all, we are working very well with him, especially on physical aspect because in the past this player had many injuries. After one month, two months and again – injury or muscular problem.
“He is working well and we are giving him stability in the physical aspect. It is very important we sign a player like Ivan Perisic because he can see the way to try to learn something from Ivan.
“We are talking about a really important player and top player. Sometimes it is good to bring a player in your team who is a bit over age but at the same time a good player with experience who can improve a young player in your squad.”
As he suggests, experience can be vital and that will be needed when Spurs face Chelsea, as Sessegnon could really struggle against Sterling, who is undoubtedly one of the top wingers in the league when you take into account his spells at Liverpool and Manchester City.
While he is “world-class” on his day and could cause Spurs problems with his pace and dribbling, Perisic’s physicality and attacking threat could put him on the back foot at Stamford Bridge.
Therefore, Conte should drop Sessegnon and start his new signing in the derby tomorrow afternoon.