Tottenham midfielder Sandro Tonali is hoping to make his mark at N17.
Tottenham surprised many by signing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United this summer. The Lilywhites showed real ambition despite already spending heavily to bring in the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke. Following a dismal campaign last season, it was crucial for the North Londoners to recruit top-quality players capable of making an immediate impact on the pitch. The club did exactly that by securing Tonali for a fee of approximately £100m.
It was evident that Spurs needed someone who could bridge the gap between defence and attack this summer. There was an urgent need for a midfielder capable of making an instant impact at N17 while seamlessly adapting to Roberto de Zerbi’s playing style. The Lilywhites also had to replace the departing Yves Bissouma in the middle of the park as De Zerbi searched for an intelligent box-to-box midfielder.
Despite these glaring issues in midfield, not many fans expected the North Londoners to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United. The midfielder appeared settled at Tyneside, and there were no indications that he was eager to leave St. James’ Park before the transfer window opened. However, it appears Roberto de Zerbi played a crucial role in convincing the player to join Spurs as the club embarked on a new era under the Italian tactician.
Roberto de Zerbi and Sandro Tonali: a match made in Tottenham
Tottenham fans were left amazed by the club’s ambition to sign Sandro Tonali for such a significant fee. The Italy international enjoyed a superb three-year spell at Newcastle United, playing a key role in helping the Magpies end their long-standing trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup last year, while also ensuring Eddie Howe’s side competed regularly in the Champions League.
However, destiny appeared to have other plans for Tonali, who seemed destined to play under Roberto de Zerbi at some stage of his career. De Zerbi has now explained how he managed to convince the Italy international to join Spurs this summer as part of his squad rebuild at N17. Speaking to Football London, De Zerbi said,
“The story is very simple. I saw Sandro wanted to leave before the end of the season, maybe before our Chelsea game, and we have one friend in common, he’s the team manager of Brescia. I read one story about Sandro which said ‘Tonali is leaving Newcastle in the summer’, and I sent a message to my friend to say ‘hey, inform Sandro, if we stay up, I go to him’. After 10 minutes, my friend answered ‘I said to Sandro and he’s open’.”
The Spurs boss added,
“I said now we have to win one game to stay up! I watched Newcastle’s game against West Ham, 90 minutes like this (indicates sweat pouring down his face), and Sandro played very well in the first half. I said [to myself] ‘if I stay up, I come to you, I come to you, I come to you’.”
It is refreshing to hear Roberto de Zerbi explain how he convinced a world-class player like Sandro Tonali to join Spurs. It is no surprise that the Spurs boss was a huge admirer of the midfielder, considering he tried to contact the 26-year-old before the season ended in an attempt to persuade him to move to N17 this summer. To De Zerbi’s credit, he did an excellent job of luring the Italy international to Hotspur Way, with the only condition being that the North Londoners avoided relegation. That is exactly what happened, as the Lilywhites won their final game of the campaign to secure their Premier League status.
The onus now falls on Sandro Tonali to prove his worth at N17 and replicate the energy and intensity he displayed throughout his time at St. James’ Park. Spurs are aiming to compete at the top end of the Premier League table this season, and to achieve that, Tonali will undoubtedly have a major role to play in ensuring the Lilywhites remain strong in midfield. Only then will the North Londoners be able to enjoy sustained success under Roberto de Zerbi.