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Young French players transferred to London have tended to end up at Arsenal in recent years. Tottenham will be hoping that Adel Taarabt will prove himself to be a high-profile exception.

The 17-year-old was recently signed from Lens on a five-year contract by Spurs after he impressed during a six-month loan deal at the end of last season.

The Morrocan-born midfielder only made two brief substitute appearances in the Premiership, against West Ham and Chelsea, although he played a big role in Clive Allen's reserve team.

He is certainly highly-thought of by Spurs. Sporting director Damien Comolli described him "as one of the best talents in Europe for his age group" and comparisons with the great Zidedine Zidane have predictably already been made.

But his first-half performance in Tottenham's second pre-season friendly against St Patrick's Athletic in Dublin hinted Taarabt had not grown up watching DVDs of ZZ, but rather of Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manager Martin Jol took a strong squad over for the match, with Taarabt starting the match on the left-side of a midfield also featuring Steed Malbranque and Danny Murphy.

With Spurs dominant, Taarabt saw a lot of the ball and the Richmond Park crowd - in good number, presumably lured by the promise of watching Irish favourite Robbie Keane - soon warmed to his ultra-offensive style.

Like Ronaldo, he likes a shot from distance, although his early left-footed effort from 25 yards flew over the crossbar of Brendan Clarke in the St Pat's goal.

His close control and determination shone through mid-way through the half when he cut in to the penalty area from the left wing, dribbled past his marker before squeezing along the by-line - although he perhaps should have done more than tamely prod a low cross-shot in to the hands of a grateful keeper.

Without a doubt, the France U-18 international's best moment came as the half drew to a close as he launched a blistering one-man counter-attack from deep inside his own half.

He used his explosive pace to get past three men as he carved through the St Pats' midfield before a couple of Ronaldo-esque step-overs bought him some space on the edge of the penalty area, although again his finish was weak and straight at the goalkeeper.

Manager Jol chose to replace him at half-time in order to give some other players a chance of some match-action, but his substitution was by no means due to a disappointing first-half showing.

Far from it, in fact, for Taarabt looked like a confident young player desperate to make a favourable impression on his manager ahead of the new season.

He can, I'm told, play both flanks and also through the middle or as a second striker, but if he does have designs on pushing for a first team spot he would perhaps do best to concentrate on the left-wing, where Spurs occasionally lacked width last year.

But for all his attacking qualities - and there are plenty of them if this performance is anything to go by - it would represent a big risk for Jol to ask Taarabt start a Premiership match.

He did show willing to get back and help out another new signing, Gareth Bale, behind him at left-back, but he will need to take another leaf out of Ronaldo's book and strengthen his upper body before he could be thrown in against top-class opposition.

However, if he keeps up his eye-catching summer form it seems likely that he will see a lot of action from the bench this season, especially if Spurs are chasing a game and need an injection of energy in the final stages.

How much can truly be learnt from a pre-season friendly against an Irish league club? Admittedly, perhaps not so much, but Taarabt certainly proved himself to be one for Spurs fans to keep an eye on this season.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport