Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing Sandro Tonali faces increased scrutiny as he prepares for his first Premier League appearance against Newcastle since completing his £100 million transfer from the Magpies in July. The 26-year-old Italian midfielder has been a focal point of Tottenham’s ambitious summer spending spree, which has seen the club invest nearly £400 million on new recruits in a bid to strengthen the squad and improve on last season’s performance.
Tonali expressed enthusiasm ahead of the match, describing his connection with head coach Roberto De Zerbi as nearly “magic” and revealing his eagerness to prove himself at his new club. However, his debut on the opening day was marked by a subdued performance during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss to Brentford, where Tonali struggled to impose himself in midfield against Mamadou Sangare and others.
Despite the defeat, statistical data from the game showed that Tonali was heavily involved, covering nearly 12 kilometers and registering one of the highest numbers of touches and line-breaking passes on the pitch. Tottenham manager De Zerbi acknowledged Tonali’s effort and technical ability, describing him as a “complete midfielder” capable of playing multiple roles and praising his intelligence and ball control. De Zerbi remains unconcerned by the hefty price tag attached to Tonali, emphasizing the player’s age and value in the current Premier League market.
De Zerbi attributed Tottenham’s poor opening-day showing partly to the squad’s physical condition, noting disruptions to the pre-season schedule, including a demanding tour to Australia and New Zealand, and the staggered return of players who participated in the recent World Cup. Tonali, unlike some teammates, missed the tournament due to Italy’s absence and was present throughout pre-season, but is still working to reach optimal fitness levels. Fellow new signing Marcos Senesi was also excused from a recent Carabao Cup match to focus on training and fitness, having recently returned from the World Cup final with Argentina.
The Spurs manager has been meeting regularly with club executives and owners to discuss ongoing transfer plans, with forward Cody Gakpo of Liverpool identified as a primary target to bolster the attacking options. Tottenham have already signed eight players this summer, breaking their club transfer record twice, and De Zerbi expressed satisfaction with the progress made, while also highlighting the potential return of winger Dejan Kulusevski from a long-term knee injury.
Tonali’s former Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, previously likened his style to that of Andrea Pirlo, noting his influence both on and off the ball. The former Newcastle player is now under pressure to fulfill such expectations in Tottenham’s midfield to help the club regain competitive form. As Tottenham prepare to host Newcastle, who recently secured a 2-2 draw against Liverpool, all eyes will be on Tonali to see if he can justify his record fee and become the midfield linchpin the club hopes for.