In front of 80,363 fans at the Accor Stadium, it was Manor Solomon's pull-back from the right that created the breakthrough: Sandro Tonali's first-time effort took a deflection off Levi Colwill and looped in, marking his first goal since arriving from Newcastle for £100m, with the opener arriving 21 minutes in. Chelsea levelled four minutes later when Estevao Willian headed home at the back post from Jamie Gittens' cross, with Andy Robertson failing to track his run.
The game turned in the second half when substitute Kevin Danso was sent off just three minutes after coming on, hauling down Joao Pedro after Archie Gray's pass had bobbled loose off the poor Accor Stadium surface. Despite finishing with ten men, Tottenham found a winner in the 92nd minute: Jamie Donley's low shot cannoned back off the post and Richarlison tapped in the rebound, sealing a fourth pre-season win from four for De Zerbi's side.
Asked afterwards about Richarlison's future amid speculation over a potential exit, De Zerbi was measured but non-committal.
"I don't know, because I like him as a player, as a guy, it's unbelievable the attitude and behaviour, but at the end we have to respect what he wants to do. And we know, every one of us knows what he wants to do, but for me he's still an important player, because it's not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison, because Richarlison scores goals and he knows the way," he said, pointing to the Brazilian's 12 goals last season as evidence he is no fluke finisher.
Pressed on whether Richarlison actually wants to leave, De Zerbi added: "I don't know, I didn't understand well, because sometimes he said to stay, sometimes he leaves. We have to speak anyway, there is not any problem, he's a lovely guy. All of us love him, the team-mates, the club, the staff, because he works hard every day, seriously every day, and we can't say anything on the pitch."
On reports linking Cristian Romero with a move away, De Zerbi kept his answer brief: "I texted with Cuti yesterday to make a plan for when he comes back to London. Not for the transfer market. That's not my job.
"I know there are many solutions in the transfer market."
The manager also explained his decision to hand the captaincy to Archie Gray throughout the tour ahead of the more experienced Ben Davies.
"I spoke with Ben Davies before speaking to Archie Gray, because the natural captain was Ben but I think it has been more important for Archie than Ben because it's like to give Archie something more for his confidence. Last season I said he's the future of the club but also the present. It's important for us because he can cover two or three positions," he said, adding that he holds the same regard for midfielder Lucas Bergvall.