---
title: "‘Happening’ – Leon Osman seriously impressed by one Tottenham player"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2026/09/05/happening-leon-osman-seriously-impressed-by-one-tottenham-player/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Tottenham News"
published: "2026-09-05T15:19:28Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:45:35Z"
---

# ‘Happening’ – Leon Osman seriously impressed by one Tottenham player

**Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are currently all square at the City Ground as the two sides cancelled each other out after a well-fought game of Premier League football.**

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are looking to get their first win of the new season, having lost both their previous two games in the competition.

Tottenham didn’t fare too badly at the City Ground during the first half, but they are yet to break the deadlock despite starting a strong side away from home.

However, Leon Osman believes one player stood out for De Zerbi’s side: Sandro Tonali.

## Sandro Tonali praised for first-half performance for Tottenham

The Italian got a start at the heart of the midfield alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher, with fellow new signing Mateus Fernandes dropping to the bench.

And Tonali was in the thick of the action and produced a typically industrious performance, fighting for tackles at both ends of the pitch.

> 🚨🎙️ Sandro Tonali on when [#THFC](https://x.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) approached him: \
> \
> “Honestly, I spoke with another team, but when I spoke with Tottenham, it was TOTALLY DIFFERENT!” 🤍🇮🇹\
> \
> – Alasdair Gold [pic.twitter.com/PRdYmtjI5J](https://t.co/PRdYmtjI5J)
>
> — Hotspur Lane (@HotspurLane) [July 30, 2026](https://x.com/HotspurLane/status/2082863774952759649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Osman feels the Italian did his reputation no harm with his performance as he praised him on commentary for the [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cqr7dedzlmjgt?page=2).

“Sandro Tonali is getting around the pitch; he’s involved in every little challenge that is happening.

“He is putting himself about for their cause.”

Hopefully more of the same from the Italian in the second half…