Sandro Tonali is very excited to start the new season as a Tottenham Hotspur player and to play in front of Spurs fans for the first time.
The arrival of Tonali at Spurs was confirmed this morning, with the Lilywhites making a big statement of their ambition by raiding Newcastle for one of their best players.
The Italian is the sixth player to arrive through the door at Hotspur Way this summer, with Roberto De Zerbi continuing to put his own imprint on the squad ahead of his first full season in charge.
De Zerbi has described Tonali as ‘a special player and a great signing’ for Spurs, and the midfielder has now revealed what he is looking forward to the most about his new adventure in North London.
Sandro Tonali admits he has great memories of playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tonali is excited about tasting the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and confessed that he is already looking forward to the club’s first home game of the season, against his former side, Newcastle.
The midfielder revealed that he has great memories of the stadium and Spurs fans from his previous trips to the venue with Milan and the Magpies, and admitted that he is now looking forward to having them on his side.
Tonali told Spurs Play: “We play the second game against Newcastle, really I can’t wait to play this game, I can’t wait to play in this stadium because I played a few times against Tottenham, with AC Milan, Champions League, Newcastle,” he said. “I found the great atmosphere, I found every time the full stadium, and that’s not easy because the stadium is so big.
“The fans can change the game in two minutes. If the fans work with you, it’s easier for you. So I think the fans are one of the best things in the stadium. I know this stadium is one of the best in the world.
“The fans are crazy. We need this because we need to put every time 100 per cent energy, concentration and everything on the pitch because we want to win every single game, especially home games, and we know we can.”
Tonali describes his playing style in 30 words
It will be fascinating to see how the Italy international is used in De Zerbi’s system, having played as a six as well as an eight in his career.
The addition of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham’s midfield may free up Tonali to have more freedom to go forward, but the former Newcastle man still describes himself as a number six.
When asked about his style of play, the Spurs newcomer said: “I think I work a lot for my teammates. If I have to describe myself in one sentence: I play number six, and I play a lot with the defence.”