Data shows that the £185m Tottenham Hotspur invested to improve their midfield is starting to have the desired effect.

Just a few weeks ago, Spurs were being criticised for overspending on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, but the duo have silenced critics with their recent performances.

It is not a coincidence that Tottenham have started winning matches when the two big summer signings, who cost a combined £185m, have started together in the double pivot.

Fernandes has excelled at passing when under pressure, while Tonali’s reading of the game and engine have ensured that the Lilywhites have won most second balls.

Tottenham have gone from the 17th to fourth-best midfield in the Premier League

Football analyst Enya Collins ranks the midfield pairings in the Premier League using five different metrics: Ball winning, retention, ball progression, creation and box threat.

As per her numbers, the Joao Palhinha-Rodrigo Bentancur pairing ranked 17th in the Premier League across those metrics, while the Tonali and Fernandes pairing ranks fourth.

There has been a remarkable 58 percentile improvement in ball progression and a 42 percentile improvement in creation between the two pairs.

She writes on X: “Spurs spent £185m rebuilding the double pivot this summer. Last season, the position group ranked 17th. This season, the Tonali + Fernandes duo ranks 4th. From relegation-level to Champions League-level. The biggest shift? Progression and creation.

“4th puts us in serious company. Only Arsenal, City and Liverpool rank higher as a pair. Spurs sit narrowly behind Liverpool. This isn’t just an improvement. My models say the midfield now profiles like one of the league’s best.”

Tonali and Fernandes complement each other well

Digging further into the numbers, Collins revealed that Tonali and Fernandes excel in different metrics among those five.

While the former Newcastle man ranks impressively in ball winning and retention, Fernandes best attributes are his progression and creation.

Collins added: “The important part is how we’ve improved. Tonali gives you a balanced profile. Fernandes adds the progression and creation Spurs badly lacked last season. Together, they can win it, keep it and progress it forward. It’s a midfield that can actually create.

“That shows up in the underlying league rankings: 2nd in dangerous passes, 2nd in box touches, 2nd in clear-chance passes, 2nd in pass completion, 4th in passing under pressure. There’s still some work to do as a team. But the double pivot already looks like a foundation.”