Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Chelsea may have handed Roberto De Zerbi a tricky midfield decision. Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali were superb at Stamford Bridge, and if they keep playing like that, the manager may settle on them as his preferred pairing, leaving Pape Matar Sarr scrapping for a smaller role. With so much money spent on the midfield over the summer, tougher competition for places was always on the cards.
The pair offer a balance Spurs have lacked. Fernandes shaped the game both with and without the ball, finishing with 124 touches, 92 per cent passing accuracy, two chances created, five tackles and six recoveries. Tonali supplied the energy and discipline to shield the defence, running 11.7 kilometres as he closed gaps, won the ball back and backed up his teammates. Together they controlled possession while staying aggressive out of it, which is exactly what a side chasing consistency needs: a midfield that sets the tempo, picks up second balls and stops opponents taking over the centre of the pitch.
Sarr remains a useful squad member, being energetic, athletic, good at carrying the ball and effective at pressing high. But Fernandes brings technical security and progression, while Tonali brings positional discipline and defensive awareness. If De Zerbi decides those traits suit his system best, Sarr could struggle to dislodge either when both are fit. The issue would be the strength of the competition rather than any shortcoming in his ability, since a player can end up on the bench simply because two teammates click. With the club aiming to get back into the top eight, De Zerbi may lean towards the control and reliability they offer, so Sarr would need to show something different, whether that’s forward runs, breaking lines or contributing in the final third.
If the Fernandes-Tonali pairing becomes the first choice, Spurs may eventually have to weigh up Sarr’s future. He might not want to spend his prime years on the bench, and keeping a talented player on the fringes raises squad-planning questions about whether he’s a key rotation option or an asset better cashed in to strengthen elsewhere. A departure is far from certain, though. Injuries, suspensions, tactical tweaks and the length of a season mean Tottenham need more than two dependable midfielders, and Sarr’s athleticism and drive could be valuable in high-intensity games or against deep-lying defences. Much will hinge on how De Zerbi rotates his squad and whether Sarr can adapt to his demands.
For now, Sarr shouldn’t be written off, but the message is clear: if Fernandes and Tonali keep excelling together, he must either accept a reduced role or convince the manager he adds something extra. De Zerbi’s real challenge will be getting the best from all three without disrupting a partnership that could become central to Spurs’ revival.
