Tottenham Hotspur have secured one of the biggest splashes of the summer transfer window, breaking the record fee of 85 million pounds that they set just the day before when they bagged Mateus Fernandes from rivals West Ham United, as they managed to land Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, meeting their asking price of 100 million pounds.
Tonali and Fernandes were the two midfielders Roberto De Zerbi wanted above any other transfer target. Now here is how Tottenham could line up with both stars in tow.
GK Antonin Kinsky
LB Destiny Udogie
CB Micky van de Ven
CB Jan Paul van Hecke
RB Pedro Porro
Cristian Romero's sale from Tottenham Hotspur is an even more foregone conclusion than Luka Vuskovic's to Brighton was, and even though Spurs only figure to have one new starter in the back four next season, the overall vibe of the defense looks very different with Jan Paul van Hecke.
One of Roberto De Zerbi's chosen ones, Van Hecke is already looking like a brilliant signing despite the cost, as he was sensational in the World Cup, even though the Netherlands exited early. He looks like an even better ball playing central defender than either Romero or his Argentinian teammate Marcos Senesi, who is now the third center back at N17.
DM Mateus Fernandes
DM Sandro Tonali
AM Xavi Simons
Suddenly, the almost perennially downtrodden Tottenham midfield has options. Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes were purchased for 185 million pounds combined with the full intention of being immediate starters for Spurs, and they are going to play every single game possible.
Behind them, Tottenham have Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher, and Rodrigo Bentancur, and then Lucas Bergvall is still not for sale despite his transfer request. Chances are, one of those players gets sold or loaned, and if it isn't Bergvall, then Bentancur could join Yves Bissouma and Joao Palhinha in leaving the club.
As for the attacking midfield, Xavi Simons and James Maddison are two of the best in the Premier League despite having different skill sets. There will be plenty of minutes for Maddison, but Simons is clearly the main man at the 10. De Zerbi loves him.
LW Mathys Tel
ST Dominic Solanke
RW Mohammed Kudus
Only Mohammed Kudus's starting job is safe in the attack after his sensational essentially half season for Spurs since coming over from West Ham United last summer. Though Kudus's campaign was cut short by injury, he was the team's most important player. Tottenham are going to need new blood on the left wing to compete with Mathys Tel and a much better striker than what they currently have: Dominic Solanke is simply the best of two suboptimal options, as Richarlison could also be floated in a sale this summer again.
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