Why the new Dele looks finished at Spurs after Tonali & Fernandes signings

The Premier League woes of 2024/25 were written off due to Tottenham Hotspur‘s Europa League surge, but another dismal top-flight campaign last time out showcased that there is a rotten, flawed core at N17.

New boss Roberto De Zerbi isn’t hanging around when it comes to overhauling the squad, however, already wrapping up six new signings with July only in its infancy.

A backline that boasted the fourth-worst defensive record in the division last term is set to be ripped up and replaced, with the experienced trio of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke all in the door in north London.

It is in midfield where the greatest intrigue lies, however, with the Lilywhites twice eclipsing their previous club-record deal to bring in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

Quite whether that £185m double deal is justified remains to be seen, while there’s also the question mark over what it means for those already at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Why Spurs’ previous record signings should be a warning to De Zerbi

The ENIC regime have done what has long been demanded by spending big on transfer fees and wages to get both Tonali and Fernandes in the door, fending off the competition to secure two ready-made additions to the squad.

Far too often under Daniel Levy’s watch, the north Londoners appeared to play it safe in the market, or didn’t engage in business at all, infamously going 18 months without a senior arrival during Mauricio Pochettino’s time in charge.

That’s not to say Levy didn’t at times get out the chequebook, although rarely has investing heavily gone to plan until now.

£65m man, Dominic Solanke, has scored just 12 league goals in two seasons at the club, while both Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons saw their debut campaigns rocked by injury.

Richarlison was last season’s top scorer, yet he only boasts 26 league goals himself since signing in 2022, while the leading scorer of 2024/25, Brennan Johnson, was swiftly shipped off to Crystal Palace in January.

The most notable transfer misfire lies with Tanguy Ndombele, however, the Frenchman ultimately embarking on three loan spells away from Spurs, before seeing his contract ripped up a year early as he left on a free in 2024.

Not a stellar list of names for Tonali and Fernandes to follow, although hopefully there are brighter days ahead in the capital, even if those two arrivals mean there could be casualties among the current squad.

Why Spurs’ new Dele could be impacted by Fernandes and Tonali deals

There could be significant churn in the midfield department, with Yves Bissouma having left on a free transfer, while loan Joao Palhinha currently looks unlikely to return.

Meanwhile, Lucas Bergvall appears to be pushing for an exit, while Archie Gray has been the subject of interest from Tonali’s former club, Newcastle United, the young pair no doubt wary of reduced game time next season.

That might also be a concern for a man who only arrived at the club six months, Conor Gallagher, with it yet to be seen whether he will have a role to play in this new-look set-up.

Once described as looking like a “Poch-era Dele Alli” by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, Gallagher was singled out by De Zerbi following his arrival in the dugout, the Italian noting that he “loved” watching the Englishman at Chelsea.

The former Blues man did notably impress thereafter in the final few games of the campaign, memorably scoring from range away at Villa Park.

There is plenty to like about the ex-Atletico Madrid midfielder, not least his relentless, high-press style, but is he really suited to a De Zerbi side long-term?

This is a manager who feeds on control and careful, considered build-up, with his Brighton and Hove Albion side such a dominant possession team.

Indeed, in 2022/23, for instance, the Seagulls finished third in the division for average possession per game (60.4%).

Gallagher is all high intensity and work ethic, hardly the most adept in possession.

As was seen last season, for example, the 26-year-old ranked in just the bottom 28% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for forward passes per 90, as well as in just the bottom 30% for progressive passes per 90.

Looking to Fernandes instead, the Portuguese youngster ranks in the top 40% and the top 36% for those same two metrics, respectively, while his average pass accuracy rate of 87% was also ahead of Gallagher’s (85%).

Tonali, meanwhile, also ranks in the top 40% and the top 33% for forward passes and progressive passes, again significantly ahead of Gallagher.

Perhaps the Englishman’s off-the-ball work is enough to nail down a role in this team, although he even appears to be bettered by Fernandes in that regard too, the 21-year-old ranking in the top 7% for defensive duels won per 90, while Gallagher ranks in just the top 43%.

Both Fernandes and Tonali are mobile, dynamic midfielders who can cover ground effectively, yet have that class and silk to their game too, something which Gallagher appears to lack.

Of course, having invested so heavily in the Premier League pair, the expectation is that they will both start more often than not next term, likely to ensure that the January arrival will be rather out in the cold.