It is funny how football works, isn't it? Tottenham Hotspur have thrown a huge amount of money at the transfer window in a bid to improve but, based on their first two games in the Premier League this term, it has not done the trick.

On paper, this Spurs side looks a lot better but on the grass, they have not played like that. A 3-0 defeat against impressive Brentford did not set the tone. A 2-0 loss to Newcastle only further rubbed salt into the wounds.

While the Lilywhites have enjoyed a fabulous summer, the Toon had not. They have been pillaged with Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali all exiting.

Why Tonali will turn out to be Tottenham's best signing

Having cost £100m to sign from the Geordies, Tonali is now their club-record signing. To suggest he will turn out to be their signing of the summer is no bold statement.

However, it has been a sluggish start for the Italian in the middle of the park. A Premier League-proven player at the age of 26, he was meant to fit into his surroundings with ease. An period of adaptation would surely not be required. Well, think again.

The midfielder scored against Chelsea in pre-season but that aside, he has not really set the world alight. His first two league outings for Roberto De Zerbi's side have been worrying.

Against Brentford on the Premier League's opening weekend, Tonali did not have any control of the game and was completely outmuscled and dominated by the hosts' own club-record midfielder, Mamadou Sangare.

Against his former employers, it represented the perfect opportunity for him to bounce back. The summer arrival did not do that.

It was another poor performance, subsequently handed a 4/10 by Football.London's Alasdair Gold. 'He never got going' wrote the reporter at full-time.

In time, however, Tonali will come good. He is an elite player with 81 games of Premier League football under his belt. In the words of his agent Beppe Riso, he is "one of the best midfielders in the world."

These are the types of signings that Spurs simply do not make. They are always beaten to the punch by English football's elite clubs. Well, not on this occasion.

A natural leader, a willing runner and a fabulous dictator of play, come the end of the campaign he will surely go down as the club's signing of the season.

How Spurs can seal another Tonali-like signing

The plan for Tottenham this summer was clear; sign Premier League-proven players in a bid to avoid another relegation battle.

Well, despite their opening two losses to kick off the season, Spurs have had a fantastic window. In fact, there hasn't been a single signing from outside of the English top-flight.

Why was that the priority? Well, traditionally, buying from within England means your players will settle quicker. Tonali may not have done so yet but it will not be long before he does.

Before the transfer window closes, the north Londoners could seal something of a Tonali repeat by welcoming Everton's Iliman Ndiaye to the club.

Cody Gakpo was Tottenham's number one target but with the Dutchman preferring a move to Manchester City and Liverpool struggling to find a replacement, it has led them to Ndiaye. An agreement was reached over a £60m deal on Sunday but there is a hold up to get it finalised.

According to the aforementioned Gold, 'Spurs and Everton remain locked in talks over a deal' on Monday. The Lilywhites are trying to close out a deal ASAP and are waiting for the Toffees to grant Ndiaye permission to undergo a medical.

So, why would this be like the Tonali deal? Well, first and foremost, they would be beating a number of other Premier League sides to his signature.

With Tonali, both Manchester United and Arsenal were also interested. With Ndiaye, the Gunners have also explored a move, as have Liverpool.

So, this would be a sensational coup and potentially even their second-best signing after the arrival of the Italy international this summer.

The fact is that, despite only scoring six times last term, Ndiaye is a proven product. He's a player who needs no introduction to the league and he's a player on the verge of reaching his prime at the age of 26.

Set to follow in the footsteps of Savio and Omar Marmoush, he would offer so much more than what they already have out on the left.

In recent years, they have relied on up and coming prospects in that position, particularly since Heung-min Son left. From that role, 21-year-old duo Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel have both struggled to set the world alight.

They netted a combined six times last season, the same number as Ndiaye. The latter is also one of the best dribblers in world football. Only six players, Lamine Yamal, Yan Diomande, Vinicius Junior, Kenan Yildiz, Jeremy Doku and Kylian Mbappe completed more than Ndiaye's 70 dribbles in Europe's top five leagues last season.

So, very much like Tonali, the Lilywhites could be about to get their hands on another of the continent's classiest operators, albeit in a forward position instead.