Properly, it might be secure to say that this was not the begin to the season that everybody related to Tottenham Hotspur hoped for.
The Lilywhites spent £302m in the summertime to make sure they’d not face one other relegation scrap any time quickly. They’ve completed the final two campaigns in seventeenth place.
Slightly mockingly, after three video games of 2026/27, Roberto De Zerbi’s males sit seventeenth within the Premier League desk. It will seem that merely throwing cash at an issue doesn’t at all times repair it.
In time, this Spurs crew will definitely enhance however they should begin seeing extra from £100m man Sandro Tonali for that to occur.
Why Sandro Tonali is an early season drawback for Spurs
A club-record man. That is what Tonali is. He’s the primary participant Tottenham have ever signed for £100m.
At that worth, there aren’t any excuses, significantly when you’re Premier League confirmed. The Italian ought to be capable of hit the bottom operating instantly, he shouldn’t want any time to adapt.
Properly, thus far, supporters are but to see one of the best of the previous Newcastle United man. On the opening day towards Brentford, he was significantly poor.
Brentford’s personal report man, Mamadou Sangare, utterly outclassed him in the course of the park because the hosts ran away 3-0 victors.
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Tonali vs Sangare: Brentford 3-0 Spurs |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats |
Tonali |
Sangare |
|
Minutes performed |
90 |
76 |
|
Touches |
76 |
51 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
1 |
|
Photographs |
2 |
1 |
|
Key passes |
0 |
2 |
|
Assists |
0 |
1 |
|
Carries |
16 |
13 |
|
Fouled |
1x |
3x |
|
Duels gained |
2/4 |
6/10 |
Tonali could properly have accomplished 89% of his passes in that recreation however he struggled to ascertain any sort of management, notably practically volleying a shot out of the bottom.
He was not a lot better towards his former employers every week in the past. An early poor go to Micky van de Ven set the tone for what was a nasty day from the midfielder who additionally performed Yoane Wissa onside for the second aim.
Was third time a allure? The summer season arrival did enhance towards Nottingham Forest on Saturday, successful seven duels and making 4 recoveries in an attritional show however extra ought to be anticipated from any individual who price as a lot as he.
He ought to be seeking to emulate his midfield colleague.
Spurs star is outshining Sandro Tonali
Regardless of the departure of Pape Matar Sarr this summer season, Spurs’ midfield is arguably probably the most packed space of the crew. The depth in that place is a giant constructive for De Zerbi.
The depth is so good, the truth is, that £85m man Mateus Fernandes has solely began one of many opening three Premier League video games.
Why is that, nevertheless? Wel it is because of the type Rodrigo Bentancur. Usually the scapegoat, usually much-maligned, 2026 has been his 12 months.
Fact be informed, it isn’t been onerous to stay out on this Tottenham crew, such has been their rotten time of it, but when anybody deserves reward for his or her performances it’s the Uruguayan.
In 2026/27, he has been Mr Constant, even throughout Spurs’ difficult begin to the brand new marketing campaign. He was one of the best of the three midfielders towards Newcastle every week in the past, outshining each Tonali and Fernandes, and he outshone the previous once more on Saturday.
Hailed as “Spurs’ participant of the match by a distance” by Soccer.London’s Alasdair Gold, Bentancur put in an exceptional efficiency, mopping up items of play left, proper and centre.
In the course of the course of the sport, the 29-year-old made 17 defensive contributions, greater than some other participant on the pitch. Solely two gamers coated extra distance than his 10.8km; James McAtee (11.3km) and Tonali (11km).
He is probably not as silky and clean on the ball as a sure Belgian, Mousa Dembele, however this was a show that harked again to these days.
Dembele was a monster in midfield. He by no means shied away from a battle and was prepared to run like mad for the crew. Properly, Bentancur’s efficiency this weekend was remarkably comparable. It was hard-working, it was dogged, it was decided and it was fierce.
No participant on the pitch made greater than his 9 clearances. No participant on the pitch gained extra aerial duels both. He acted as the proper display screen in entrance of the backline. He should be a dream for Van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke.
In all honesty, it was the reported £120k-per-week earner who appeared just like the £100m signing on Saturday afternoon, not Tonali. He has properly and really outperformed him within the opening weeks of the brand new season.
