Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali has lavished praise on the supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, describing them as 'one of the best things' about the venue, as he prepares for his first home appearance for Spurs against his former club Newcastle United in the English Premier League (EPL).

Tonali's First Impressions of the Spurs Faithful

The £100 million signing — a club-record deal worth up to £100m ($133m) — arrived at Spurs with prior experience of playing at the ground during his time with Newcastle. That familiarity has clearly left a mark. 'I can't wait to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because I played here a few times against Tottenham with Newcastle,' Tonali said. 'I found a great atmosphere. Every time I've been here, the stadium has been full. That's not easy because the stadium is so big.'

Tonali was emphatic about the role supporters play in shaping a result. 'The fans can change the game in two minutes. If the fans are with you, it makes things much easier. I think the fans are one of the best things about this stadium. I know this stadium is one of the best in the world,' he added. 'The fans are crazy, and we need that because we have to give 100 per cent energy and concentration in every game.'

A Debut Delayed After Brentford Opener

Tonali was part of the Spurs side that suffered defeat at Brentford in the season opener, making the upcoming home fixture against Newcastle all the more significant. Operating primarily as a number six — a deep-lying midfielder who works closely with the defensive line — he is now fully focused on delivering at home. 'We want to win every single game, especially at home. And we know we can,' he said.

Bond With Manager Roberto De Zerbi

A key factor in Tonali's move to north London was his relationship with Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The two share roots in Brescia, where Tonali spent a decade as a player and De Zerbi was born. 'When I spoke with him for the first time, we talked like friends, but also like a player and manager already. That conversation was special. It made me feel like I had to sign for him,' Tonali revealed.

He described De Zerbi as an 'incredible manager' and noted that their personal connection extends beyond football. 'Sometimes, when we have a day off, we both go back to our city and meet. That's something special,' he said. The pair reportedly discussed at length the Spurs squad, playing style, and ambitions for the season during their initial talks.

Settling In at a New Club

Tonali acknowledged the challenge of rebuilding at a new club but said pre-existing relationships with the staff had smoothed the transition. 'Every time you change clubs, you have to start over. You have to build new relationships with teammates, staff, and fans. I'm lucky because I already know the staff here, which makes things easier, especially at the start of the season,' he said.

Asked to describe himself in a single sentence, the midfielder kept it characteristically understated: 'I work hard for my teammates.' With Spurs targeting a strong home record this season, Tonali's debut at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Newcastle will be an early indicator of how De Zerbi's side intends to perform on their own turf.