Because of Tonali: £24m flop won’t ever be seen in a Spurs shirt again, it’s over
Tottenham Hotspur’s summer recruitment was designed to transform Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield, but it is becoming increasingly clear that Sandro Tonali could have a much bigger influence on the club’s future than initially expected. After a relatively quiet start to life in north London, the Italian midfielder delivered an outstanding performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford, providing a timely reminder of why Tottenham invested so heavily in strengthening their engine room.
For weeks, Spurs supporters have been waiting to see Tonali reproduce the energetic, commanding displays that made him such an influential figure during his time at Newcastle United. Although his opening performances in a Tottenham shirt had offered glimpses of his quality, Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United felt like a genuine turning point.
From the opening whistle, Tonali and his midfield partners took control of the contest, making life extremely uncomfortable for Manchester United’s midfield. Kobbie Mainoo struggled to establish his usual rhythm, while Youri Tielemans endured a particularly difficult first half as Tottenham repeatedly won the battles in the middle of the pitch.
Even Bruno Fernandes, one of Manchester United’s most important creative players, found it difficult to influence proceedings in the way he would have wanted.
Tottenham eventually secured a deserved point despite being reduced to ten men, with their midfield performance providing plenty of encouragement for De Zerbi. More importantly, Tonali demonstrated the qualities that could make him the foundation of Tottenham’s midfield for years to come.
However, his emergence could have serious consequences for Pape Matar Sarr, whose long-term future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Sandro Tonali finally shows Tottenham supporters what they have been waiting for
There is no denying that Tonali needed time to settle into his new surroundings following his arrival at Tottenham. Expectations were understandably high, particularly given the scale of the club’s summer investment and the midfielder’s reputation for combining technical ability with exceptional work rate.
Against Manchester United, however, the 26-year-old finally produced the sort of commanding performance that Spurs supporters had been hoping to see.
Operating as part of a midfield trio alongside Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, Tonali demonstrated his ability to influence the game in several different ways.
He was aggressive when Tottenham needed to win possession, composed when building attacks and intelligent in his positioning when Manchester United attempted to exploit spaces between the lines.
His energy was particularly noticeable. Tonali repeatedly covered large areas of the pitch, supporting his teammates defensively before quickly moving forward to help Tottenham launch their own attacks.
That combination of defensive discipline and attacking ambition is precisely what De Zerbi wants from his midfielders.
The Italian also played a decisive role in Tottenham’s equaliser. As Spurs searched for a way back into the contest, Tonali moved towards the left-hand side and delivered an excellent inswinging cross that found Dominic Solanke at the back post.
Solanke made no mistake with his header, rescuing a point for Tottenham and rewarding Tonali for his quality delivery.
It was an important contribution because it demonstrated that the midfielder is capable of producing decisive moments even when his team are under pressure.
His overall statistics further illustrated his influence.
Tonali registered one key pass and created a big chance, while completing two of his three attempted crosses. He also recorded six ball recoveries, demonstrating his willingness to work tirelessly without possession.
The midfielder was equally impressive when carrying the ball forward, completing all his attempted dribbles and helping Tottenham move through the pitch with greater urgency.
For De Zerbi, this was the kind of all-round midfield display that could become central to his plans.
Tottenham need players who can dictate the tempo, win physical battles, contribute creatively and maintain their intensity throughout a match. Tonali demonstrated that he possesses all those qualities.
And if he continues performing at this level, his place in the starting XI will become increasingly difficult for his teammates to challenge.
Why Sandro Tonali’s arrival puts Pape Matar Sarr in danger
While Tonali’s performance was encouraging for Tottenham, it could represent a worrying development for Pape Matar Sarr.
The Senegalese midfielder has previously been regarded as an important part of Tottenham’s long-term plans. His athleticism, pressing ability and capacity to cover ground have made him a useful option in the middle of the pitch.
However, the arrival of Tonali has changed the competition for places, and the Italian’s recent display has highlighted the qualities that could make Sarr increasingly expendable.
The biggest issue is not that Sarr lacks ability. Rather, it is that Tottenham now have a midfielder who appears capable of offering a more complete package in the role De Zerbi wants to fill.
Tonali combines energy with positional awareness, progressive passing, ball retention and the ability to create opportunities in the final third.
Against Manchester United, he demonstrated that he can contribute defensively without sacrificing his attacking responsibilities. His movement, passing range and understanding of space allowed Tottenham to maintain control while still posing a threat going forward.
These qualities could make him one of the first names on De Zerbi’s teamsheet.
Sarr, meanwhile, faces the challenge of convincing the Italian coach that he can offer something sufficiently different to justify a regular place in the starting XI.
With Bergvall and Gallagher also competing for midfield positions, Tottenham’s options are becoming increasingly crowded.
If De Zerbi settles on Tonali as his preferred midfield anchor or central organiser, the remaining positions will be fiercely contested. Bergvall offers technical quality and the potential to develop into a creative force, while Gallagher brings intensity, pressing and the ability to support attacks.
That leaves Sarr needing to demonstrate that he can consistently match their contributions or provide a tactical advantage that his teammates cannot offer.
Simply being energetic and hardworking may no longer be enough.
Tonali’s growing influence could therefore push Sarr down the pecking order, reduce his opportunities and eventually convince Tottenham that a permanent sale is the most sensible decision.
Why Tottenham could sell Pape Matar Sarr permanently
The argument for selling Sarr becomes stronger when Tottenham’s wider rebuilding project is considered.
Spurs have invested heavily in their squad, bringing in several high-profile players in an attempt to improve their competitiveness. After such significant spending, the club must ensure that its resources are being used efficiently.
Keeping several midfielders competing for similar roles can create unnecessary complications, particularly if some of them are unlikely to receive regular minutes.
Tonali’s emergence could force Tottenham to make a difficult decision about which midfielders deserve to remain part of the long-term project.
If De Zerbi believes the Italian can consistently provide the balance, intensity and technical quality his system requires, Tottenham may decide to build the midfield around him rather than continue accommodating players whose roles overlap.
Sarr could become one of the casualties of that process.
A permanent sale would allow Tottenham to generate funds that could be reinvested in other areas of the squad. Depending on the manager’s priorities, that money could help strengthen the attack, improve defensive depth or bring in another midfielder with a different skill set.
This is particularly important for a club attempting to recover from a difficult period and build a squad capable of competing consistently.
There is also the question of Sarr’s own career.
At his age, regular first-team football remains important for his development. Spending extended periods on the bench behind Tonali, Bergvall and Gallagher would not necessarily benefit him, especially if Tottenham cannot offer him a clearly defined role.
If the midfielder wants more consistent playing time, a move to a club where he can become a regular starter could appeal to him.
Tottenham would then have to decide whether retaining him as a squad player is more valuable than accepting a suitable permanent offer.
It is important to stress that Tonali’s performance against Manchester United does not, by itself, prove that Tottenham have decided to sell Sarr. There is also no guarantee that the Senegalese midfielder will be unable to reclaim a regular place.
However, the Italian’s growing importance could change the club’s assessment of its midfield options.
Tonali could make Sarr’s position increasingly difficult to justify
One of the biggest challenges facing Sarr is that Tottenham’s midfield is no longer simply about finding players who can run, tackle and support the attack.
De Zerbi needs a unit capable of controlling matches, progressing possession intelligently and creating opportunities under pressure.
Tonali’s display at Old Trafford showed how valuable a midfielder can be when he combines those responsibilities effectively.
His ability to recover possession, carry the ball forward and deliver a decisive cross makes him an attractive option in several different match situations.
If he maintains that level, De Zerbi will have little reason to disrupt a successful midfield combination unnecessarily.
That could leave Sarr fighting for limited opportunities, particularly when Tottenham have other players capable of performing complementary roles.
The Senegalese international still has qualities that could make him valuable, and his physical attributes could prove useful in demanding Premier League fixtures. However, the question is whether those qualities will be enough to secure him a long-term future in a squad being reshaped around De Zerbi’s tactical demands.
Tottenham may ultimately conclude that selling him permanently is preferable to keeping an unhappy squad player whose minutes are becoming increasingly restricted.
Tottenham’s summer spending makes difficult decisions inevitable
Tottenham’s recruitment drive has raised expectations, but bringing in new players is only one part of building a successful squad.
The club must also manage competition for places, maintain a sensible wage structure and ensure that players who are not central to the manager’s plans do not become expensive assets sitting on the sidelines.
Tonali’s performance against Manchester United could accelerate that process.
His display suggested that Tottenham may finally have found a midfielder capable of imposing himself on major Premier League matches. If he becomes the central figure around whom De Zerbi builds his midfield, the club will need to assess whether its other options fit into that vision.
Sarr could be particularly vulnerable if the manager decides that his existing qualities are already covered by other players.
A permanent transfer would also give Tottenham greater clarity over their midfield hierarchy. Rather than carrying several players competing for overlapping responsibilities, the club could focus on building a balanced unit with clearly defined roles.
Nevertheless, Spurs must be careful not to make decisions based on one impressive performance. Tonali needs to demonstrate consistency over a sustained period, while Sarr deserves an opportunity to show that he can adapt to De Zerbi’s demands.
The Senegalese midfielder’s age and potential also mean that Tottenham should consider whether his development could eventually make him a more complete player.
Selling him too quickly could prove costly if he goes on to fulfil that potential elsewhere.
Final verdict: Tonali’s rise could spell the end of Sarr’s Tottenham career
Sandro Tonali’s performance against Manchester United was arguably one of his most encouraging displays since arriving at Tottenham.
His energy, intelligent movement, defensive contributions and decisive assist for Dominic Solanke demonstrated why he could become one of De Zerbi’s most important players.
For Tottenham, that is an exciting development. A dominant midfield could be essential to turning their season around and establishing a more consistent style of football.
For Pape Matar Sarr, however, the situation is more complicated.
The better Tonali performs, the harder it could become for Sarr to secure regular football at Tottenham. With Bergvall and Gallagher also competing for places, the Senegalese midfielder could find himself pushed further down the pecking order.
That is why a permanent sale could eventually become a realistic option for the club. Tonali’s arrival has increased competition, potentially reduced Sarr’s importance and given Tottenham a reason to reconsider how they allocate their midfield resources.
Nothing is guaranteed, and Sarr could still fight his way back into De Zerbi’s plans. But if Tonali continues producing performances like the one at Old Trafford, Tottenham may decide that the best way forward is to build around their Italian midfield star and allow Sarr to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere.
For now, Tonali’s immediate priority will be maintaining his form. If he does that, his influence could extend far beyond the pitch, shaping Tottenham’s midfield plans and potentially determining which players remain part of the club’s long-term future.
