Tonali's agent: the pass that shows Tottenham's different choice
Agent Beppe Riso recounted, in the podcast 'Colpi da maestro', the two richest transfer deals of the summer: the move of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle to Tottenham and the transfer of Honest Ahanor from Atalanta to Chelsea, with a subsequent loan to Crystal Palace.
Tonali's move to Tottenham
Riso described Tonali's transfer as a "very difficult, long, tough operation" and highlighted the young defender's emotional difficulty. The midfielder, captain of the champion Milan, chose the Premier League to develop further. The move took place from Newcastle to Tottenham, confirming the English club's interest.
De Zerbi and Tottenham's philosophy
According to the agent, Tottenham shows a different choice compared to other clubs, even after being linked to Manchester City. Riso explained that "De Zerbi falls into place for him" and that the coach played a decisive role in convincing the player. The relationship with De Zerbi was described as very heavy but essential for the final decision.
Riso then outlined Tonali's leap to England, stating that the first move stemmed from the feeling of a "different Milan". He said he knows Milan in all its aspects and that he convinced Tonali to want the Premier League. The youngster found the prospect of playing in England fascinating, even though he was the captain of a winning side.
Riso admitted that convincing his client was not easy: "A crazy operation from the standpoint of noise, numbers and responsibilities". He explained the various implications to Tonali, taking on his own responsibilities. In the end, the choice turned out to be the most right also from a personal perspective.
Regarding Honest Ahanor, Riso recalled the transfer from Atalanta to Chelsea, with the subsequent loan to Crystal Palace. He described the youngster as "another high‑level boy, speaking humanly". When Ahanor signed with Chelsea, he hugged a friend and cried, according to the agent.
The contrast between the two deals highlights two different approaches: Tottenham, led by De Zerbi, seeks a visionary leader, while Chelsea opted for a young talent who was immediately sent on loan. Riso concludes that both choices reflect the clubs' specific strategies in the Premier League.