You know what I'm starting to think, folks? Sandro Tonali: £100m bargain.
So many decried Spurs' splash for the Italian, having initially laughed off the idea that Tonali would ever end up in north London given who else was in for him at the start of the summer window.
Even when Tonali wound up in N17, there's was an acceptance that Spurs had overpaid the odds. Our Premier League-exclusive policy and wretched season last term meant the club had to pay premiums to acquire De Zerbi's preferred targets.
Plenty were underwhelmed by Tonali's first month, but De Zerbi insisted that the best of his £100m asset would soon arrive. The midfielder said over the international break that he was back to 100% fitness, and the iteration we've seen since is exactly why we were willing to pay as much as we did to fight off competition for his signature.
Tonali has been outstanding in October, and his efforts have been recognised by the manager.
Spurs play with 12 men when Sandro Tonali's on the pitch
We've De Zerbi use Tonali in a myriad ways during our three-game winning run. He asked so much of him in the 3-1 win over Coventry City, almost single-handedly tasking him with protecting the Lilywhites in transition. Tonali was left on an island, but he relished the responsibility and produced his best performance in a Spurs shirt up to that point.
His midfield partner, Mateus Fernandes, received much of the acclaim at Stamford Bridge, and understandably so. However, Tonali also played a key role in Spurs' midfield superiority in west London, combining superbly with Fernandes over short distances before accessing the spare man, often James Maddison.
Tonali really has found his stride, and there was further evidence of his brilliance against Crystal Palace, as De Zerbi's side claimed their third successive win. Jean-Philippe Mateta's early red card rendered the contest a cakewalk for the hosts, and Tonali played a key role in ensuring the beleaguered visitors didn't get a sniff.
"We are improving the physical condition," De Zerbi said post-match (via Football London). "Tonali today was unbelievable, incredible. We played with two players more. Tonali was the double today."
The data backs the manager up, with our No. 8 covering the most distance in the match (12.3km). Whenever Palace sought to break, Tonali was seemingly always there to sniff out the danger. He's utterly relentless, and the level of security he provides is unlike anything we've had in midfield for years.
And this idea that he's all blood and thunder is just wrong. There's so much technique to admire, too. This is a brilliant footballer who certainly doesn't look like he's boasting the weight of the loftiest of price tags. He's all business, and improving by the game.
As long as Tonali's around, Spurs supporters can sleep easy. If both he and Fernandes stay injury-free for 2026/27, then we may well start to dream.
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