Roberto De Zerbi must prioritise the development of Luca Williams-Barnett this season, even if it breaks a relationship with a Premier League rival.

Luca Williams-Barnett made an excellent impression on his Premier League debut, showing Roberto De Zerbi exactly why he deserves a greater role in the Tottenham Hotspur squad.

The 18-year-old winger replaced Mathys Tel in the final moments of Saturday evening's clash against Crystal Palace and, had Mohammed Kudus not fluffed his lines, he would've marked his first outing in the English top-flight with a brilliant assist.

No more than a couple of minutes after coming on, Williams-Barnett received the ball on the left wing; rather than play safe, he smelled blood, eager to put the third and final nail in the Eagles' coffin. First, the Lilywhites wonderkid sat down Anan Khalaili before evading a challenge from Darío Osorio.

Williams-Barnett left the Crystal Palace defenders in knots, darting into the heart of the box while they quite literally surrendered the pair of encounters, stumbling away with their hands up in the air. The teenager beat Chris Richards to the byline before clipping the ball across the face of the goalmouth, finding his teammate.

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Kudus, perhaps mesmerised by the brilliance of Williams-Barnett, couldn't quite get his feet sorted in time, striking the ball with his shin and missing the target from close range. Again, rather than shy away from the occasion, the England Under-19 international faced the home faithful and waved his arms in the air like a conductor, lifting his orchestra.

In no more than five minutes, he proved to De Zerbi that he's more than capable, technically, physically, and, most importantly, mentally, of harnessing a greater role in the squad. Speaking to reporters after the game, the Spurs boss heaped praise on the youngster.

De Zerbi said: "Yeah but my career is clear. When I work, when I have young, talented players, for me nothing changes. I thought it was the right moment for him. Because it is his first game in the Premier League.

"But his qualities, he is a big, big talent," added the Italian. "Yes [he was bright]. He is a very, very great talent. Very young, but a great talent."

In a flash, Williams-Barnett has staked a significant claim to leapfrog a number of big names in the pecking order for minutes in the frontline. So much so that Mykhailo Mudryk may not get a look in when he eventually returns from the treatment room.

Rather than fast-track the Chelsea loanee back into the squad, and then even consider exercising the option to sign him for £75m later down the line, De Zerbi should prioritise the development of his 'precious diamond'. Even if it puts the Lilywhites' relationship with their London rivals in jeopardy.

In July, following a pre-season friendly win over Sydney, De Zerbi outlined his plan to help Williams-Barnett fulfil his incredible potential. He said: "We have to manage him like a precious diamond. We have to help him to improve in the last decision.

"Physically, work harder to become stronger because this time of football, he needs to be strong, and to give him space when there is the right moment. I usually give time to all the young players I work with in my career, and he is a potential special player."

The rest of the squad know exactly what De Zerbi means, too. When the gaffer called Williams-Barnett to come on against Crystal Palace, he got a couple of slaps of encouragement from James Maddison, who was smiling like a Cheshire cat, and Marcos Senesi on the sidelines.

Ben Davies, who's seen some incredibly talented players come and go during his time in north London, has been in awe of Williams-Barnett. In the summer, while away in Australia, he said: "He's a really top player.

"He's got a lot of potential. I think you can see the qualities that he's got. I think now the next step is developing his habits in the game. But to have a player like that who's got no fear, that has the confidence to try things in games, who doesn't get affected if he loses the ball, I think he's got a bright future ahead of him..."