Tottenham Hotspur star defesnive midfielder Sandro Tonali has 100 percent looked like a star so far in the preseason, and while a few friendly games against inferior opponents are hardly the measuring stick by which to evaluate a 100 million pound player with a Serie A title on his resume, Tonali is definitely getting Spurs fans excited with his quality on the ball in the middle of the park.
Even against the stingy Getafe defense, Tonali stood out, bossing the play in the midfield and controlling the game, even though his midfield partners, especially Lucas Bergvall, were far less competent on the day.
Watching Tonali move the ball forward with composure, retain possession, and recycle while standing tall was a reminder of not only how good Tonali is, but how good he can be with everyone at full strength. Although James Maddison is a great Premier League No. 10, Xavi Simons has the skills and athletic tools to be truly world class, having flashed that on more than one occasion for RB Leipzig.
Sandro Tonali and Xavi Simons will be a world class duo
Tottenham Hotspur with Sandro Tonali behind Xavi in the midfield is going to feed families, and Tonali, in particular, is going to relish the opportunity to play with a speedy midfielder who makes smart, forward runs. And Simons, for his part, surely can't wait to work with Tonali, whose ability to find that pass is far, far better than anyone Simons has played at - not only at Tottenham but also honestly at RB Leipzig and even PSV in the Dutch top division.
Tonali was a true leader for an AC Milan side that finally won the Scudetto with him - and has not come close to winning the Serie A title since his shock departure to Newcastle United. Better than anyone he got to play with in the attacking midfield for the Magpies, Simons has game changing quality that is just waiting to be untapped with the right holding midfielder.
Even in the preseason, watching the upgrade Tonali brings to the table is making Spurs fans wonder just how great life can be in several months once Xavi Simons returns from his torn ACL. And Tonali, more than any other player, has to be most excited about the Dutch midfielder and highly anxious about his return. Tonali will still be great and Spurs will still be better this season with the new additions, but once Simons comes back, that's when things will flip into true gear.
Add us as a preferred source on Google