Sandro Tonali is reportedly winning admirers, with Roy Keane said to be among those impressed by the midfielder’s showing in Tottenham’s goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
Spurs went into the game at the City Ground badly needing a lift after a rocky start to the season, and while a winner never arrived, Tonali gave De Zerbi plenty to be pleased about. The Italian was composed and tireless in the middle of the park, winning the ball back regularly and keeping things moving for his side, earning himself a 7/10 rating for a display built on control and stability.
Keane is said to have been especially taken with the performance, indicating it justified the club’s heavy investment in bringing the midfielder in. That will matter to Tottenham fans given the scrutiny on the summer signings so far — Tonali looked unfazed by the pressure and put in a shift that helped anchor a much more organised, disciplined Spurs side than in recent weeks.
The result itself, a first point of the campaign, won’t satisfy anyone, and the failure to score again means the attacking issues remain unresolved. But amid the frustration, Tonali’s performance stood out as a genuine positive — and if he can keep producing displays like this, he could well become the driving force of De Zerbi’s midfield. On this evidence, reported praise from a figure like Keane will only add to the sense among supporters that their new arrival has the makings of a Premier League success.
