Savio scores on debut as De Zerbi sets £85m signing a 10-goal target after Spurs rout Charlton

Savio scored and assisted on his Tottenham debut as Roberto De Zerbi’s side beat Charlton 5-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with the manager immediately setting the £85 million signing a target of 10 to 12 goals for the season.

The 22-year-old had completed his move from Manchester City only the previous day, yet came off the bench in the 71st minute and wasted little time making an impression. He fired a low drive into the net on 82 minutes before a second effort was deflected home by Ben Davies three minutes later to seal the victory.

“I think his biggest step and biggest improvement is to increase the number of goals because as qualities, I think he is one of the best wingers, but the best wingers score many goals,” De Zerbi said. “I spoke with him and we put the goal on 10 or 12 goals because we need 10 or 12 goals from the wingers. Last season we suffered too much because the number of goals were not enough to compete for nothing more than that position.”

Academy graduate Mikey Moore had opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a fine left-footed effort, though De Zerbi confirmed a loan move to Bundesliga side Köln is being finalised for the 19-year-old. “I would like to keep him because he is young, a good player, but we can’t make the wrong decision because he needs to play and put games inside of him,” the manager said.

Dominic Solanke marked his first start of the season with a goal before half-time, and Kevin Danso added a third on 67 minutes before Savio’s late double put the result beyond doubt. Lloyd Jones netted a late consolation for Charlton.

The evening was significantly darkened for Charlton manager Nathan Jones, who lost centre-backs Collins Sichenje and Billy Koumetio to injury within the opening 15 minutes, following an earlier blow to Reece Burke. “To lose two centre halves — we lost Reece Burke the other day, so three centre halves — that is the difficult thing,” Jones said. “Not the result or going out of the cup, but the injuries we have picked up.”