Top News

21 August 2026

Sandro Tonali is in line to make his competitive Tottenham debut on Saturday evening.

Roberto De Zerbi has offered a straightforward assessment of Tottenham’s record signing, saying: “Sandro Tonali is better than I thought”.

Tottenham’s spending in the summer transfer window is set to go beyond the £300million mark once they complete the signing of Savinho from Manchester City for £75m, with up to £10m more in add-ons.

Tonali and De Zerbi have known one another for a number of years, with their bond rooted in their shared link to the city of Brescia. De Zerbi comes from there, while Tonali spent nine years there across the youth ranks and senior side at the club.

On Friday, De Zerbi was asked for his early impressions after the first few weeks of working with the Italy international.

“Sandro Tonali is better than I thought,” De Zerbi said. “He is better than I thought before working with him as a player and as a guy.

“I know his family, his agents, and I know they all are good people.

“I’m very happy to work with him and I think he’s the right player in the right place. Especially because we want to put him inside of the project.

“He has the right qualities, the right personality, the right values, to stay in this place.”

In 32 Premier League matches for Newcastle last season, Tonali did not score. Even so, his standing over recent seasons as a complete and well-balanced midfielder convinced Spurs to make their major move for the 26-year-old.