De Zerbi’s Tottenham Revolution: Can Tonali Lead the Way in 2026?

FolioPitch.com – 13 August 2026 | Roberto De Zerbi‘s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur’s manager has brought a new wave of optimism to the club, and the Italian tactician is eager to make his mark in the Premier League. In a recent interview, De Zerbi spoke about the importance of leadership in his team, citing Sandro Tonali as a prime example of a player who can take on this role.

Tonali, who joined Tottenham from Newcastle United in a deal worth over €115m, has already shown glimpses of his leadership potential, and De Zerbi believes that he can be a vital cog in the team’s engine room. ‘If I really did convince him, then I can only be happy about that,’ De Zerbi said, reflecting on his role in Tonali’s transfer to Tottenham. ‘I told him the truth, because I always tell players what I really think. I believe he is a player who has always been a leader in every squad he played, so here with a team that is in the process of reconstruction, he can have an important role.’

De Zerbi’s vision for Tottenham is one of building a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, and he believes that Tonali can play a key role in achieving this goal. ‘I was already watching Tonali when he was playing for Brescia, my hometown club and the team I support. At the age of 18, he already looked like a veteran. I think this is something that I and Tottenham can offer him more than other clubs.’

The Italian manager’s approach is centered around creating a strong team spirit, something that he believes is essential for success in the Premier League. ‘You do experience football in a different way in England. There are fewer training retreats, which are important opportunities to spend time together. But it’s also true that in Italy there is a lot more pressure, and we often bring it upon ourselves. If you spend time together as a group just to pass time, then you may as well just stay at home. If you spend that time well, creating cohesion and connection with each other, then that is fundamental.’

De Zerbi’s emphasis on team bonding is not unique to his approach, however. The Argentina national team’s remarkable success at the 2022 World Cup was built on a strong team spirit, something that De Zerbi believes can be replicated at Tottenham. ‘Just look at the Argentina squad at the World Cup, their team spirit pushed them beyond their limits. It’s not easy, but I think it can be built here too, every bit as important as the style of football.’

Tonali has spoken about the cultural differences he has encountered since joining Tottenham, noting that while in Italy team dinners are a regular occurrence, he only had two per year at Newcastle. De Zerbi has made it clear that he wants to change this, and has already begun to implement his own brand of team bonding. ‘I try to bring some of that to my teams, a few dinners together. When I was at Marseille, I organised a training retreat for that reason, so it wasn’t just football, but our lives that we were sharing.’

De Zerbi’s vision for Tottenham is one of building a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, and he believes that Tonali can play a key role in achieving this goal. With the Italian manager at the helm, and Tonali leading the way, the future looks bright for Tottenham Hotspur.