Tottenham Hotspur's recent £185 million investment in midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes is a bold move, and head coach Roberto De Zerbi's enthusiasm for this duo is well-founded. De Zerbi's style of play emphasizes ball retention and progressive passing, and Tonali and Fernandes are key to achieving this. Tonali, with 46.7 passes per 90 minutes, and Fernandes, with 40.7 passes at 87.5% accuracy, are already among the club's strongest possession players. This is further evidenced by their progressive passing statistics, with Fernandes averaging 6.5 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes and Tonali close behind at 6.0. These numbers highlight their ability to break down defenses and create opportunities. Additionally, Tonali's 6.1 progressive carries per 90 minutes and Fernandes' 4.9 demonstrate their effectiveness in carrying the ball and creating space. Both players also excel in defensive work, winning possession and duels, which is crucial for De Zerbi's build-up play. While Fernandes carries a greater goal threat with seven involvements, Tonali's two assists showcase their versatility. This investment in Tonali and Fernandes is a strategic move to improve Tottenham's build-up play and ball retention, addressing the team's struggles in these areas last season. De Zerbi's focus on improving the quality of play and build-up, as well as his emphasis on possession and progressive passing, makes this signing a significant step forward for the club's future success.
