After securing the signing of his personal favorite center back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for an eye watering 60 million euros, Roberto De Zerbi is after two even bigger additions in the middle of the park for Spurs. In addition to plucking Mateus Fernandes from relegated West Ham United, De Zerbi wants to land Italian international and fellow Brescia native Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, even if the transfer costs him over 100 million euros.
Tonali is one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League, and while he has been good for Newcastle, their tactics under Eddie Howe have often blanketed the true extent of his athleticism and playmaking capabilities.
When AC Milan won the Serie A title, Tonali was impervious and showing signs of fulfilling his insane potential as the next Marco Verratti or even Andrea Pirlo. OK, maybe the latter was too lofty a comparison, but Tonali was special as an all around player and a leader.
Archie Gray should have no qualms
Tottenham Hotspur fans are hoping for real blockbuster additions to the midfield and attack after another 17th placed finish, and they see Roberto De Zerbi as exactly that charismatic and ambitious figure in the manager's chair who can convince players like Sandro Tonali to come to N17.
Although Archie Gray figures to lose playing time as the result of a potential signing of Tonali, that might actually be a blessing in diguise for the young England international. When Spurs were at their worst last season, Gray showed great courage, quality, character, and effort to try and spare their blushes, and he is as responsible as anyone for Tottenham's survival in that sense.
De Zerbi mostly leaned on the veterans instead of Gray, but that does not mean he rates Gray any less. He has made it clear through his public comments that he rates Gray highly - as anyone should. But Gray is still young and growing in a role as a deep lying playmaker and No. 6 that is very, very difficult to play, especially at a club with the expectations (and recent dysfunction) as Tottenham.
Signing a veterean like Tonali can ease the pressure on Gray's development. There will still be plenty of minutes and chances to start for him, such as over Rodrigo Bentancur, and Tonali is the kind of player Archie Gray can start next to or even learn from off the bench. Tonali is not bad for Gray at all.
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