Tonali says De Zerbi has suffered most at Tottenham

Sandro Tonali believes Roberto De Zerbi has been the person most affected by Tottenham’s difficulties. The midfielder spoke about the group’s progress and its desire to help the coach in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. His move from Newcastle United came in a deal that could reportedly reach £100 million. His comments were reported after the win over Coventry City and before the match against Chelsea.

“Monday was a kind of review of this first part of the season. We have kept improving; we should not focus only on our start, but also take the positives,” Tonali said. He praised the team’s performances and highlighted the importance of its relationship with De Zerbi: “Everyone loves the coach, who is suffering more than anyone here at Tottenham. We know we have a lot to give him because we have not achieved anything yet.”

Tonali believes the squad has become more united since the previous week and urged it to keep going, stay positive and play its football. His assessment also suggests the players are beginning to understand their coach’s expectations better, while leaving intact his point that they have not achieved anything yet. The midfielder also spoke of his enduring attachment to AC Milan, where he played before moving to Newcastle. Although he now represents Tottenham, the Italian club remains close to his heart: “Milan will always be my favourite team, no matter how much time passes.” He said he would still follow the club in 20 years, whenever his commitments allowed.

The comments come as Tottenham have recovered from a slow start with successive Premier League wins: 3-1 against Coventry City, followed by a 2-0 victory away to Chelsea on Saturday. The results provide an early tangible sign that the summer rebuild, which involved spending more than £300 million, is beginning to take shape. De Zerbi arrived late last season and helped Tottenham avoid relegation in the campaign’s closing weeks. The win at Chelsea was only the club’s second league victory in 42 visits to Stamford Bridge, and its second consecutive win under De Zerbi.