Mamadou Sangare ready for major test against Tottenham’s new midfield

Brentford's £41m club-record signing Mamadou Sangare faces an immediate test when he comes up against Tottenham's expensive new midfield in Saturday's Premier League opener.

Spurs have spent around £185m rebuilding their central midfield, with Roberto De Zerbi playing an important role in bringing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to north London.

Both have shown encouraging signs during pre-season, but Sangare gives Brentford a potential answer at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford fought hard to sign Sangare from Lens, beating interest from Crystal Palace and his former manager Pierre Sage.

The 24-year-old Mali international arrives with a reputation for relentless pressing and winning possession. No outfield player in Ligue 1 recorded more ball recoveries than Sangare last season.

Former Rapid Vienna sporting director Markus Katzer previously described him as “addicted to getting better”, and that intensity is evident in his playing style.

Sangare repeatedly presses opponents and is willing to immediately challenge again if his first attempt to regain possession fails.

That could make his battle with Tonali particularly important. Tottenham's new midfielder is comfortable receiving possession under pressure and has been recruited to give De Zerbi greater control in central areas.

The Brentford midfielder is not simply a ball-winner.

Sangare can escape pressure in tight areas, carry possession forward and contribute around the opposition penalty area. He demonstrated that during Brentford's 7-0 pre-season victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring from outside the box during an impressive unofficial debut.

There are weaknesses Tottenham can target.

Sangare's aggressive approach has contributed to disciplinary problems, while the midfielder has previously acknowledged that his concentration can occasionally drop.

Spurs will look to exploit those moments if they can play through Brentford's pressure.

Tonali has also made an encouraging first impression.

The Italian helped create Richarlison's opening goal as Tottenham defeated Hoffenheim 3-0, combining composure in possession with the physicality required in De Zerbi's midfield.

Fernandes has endured a more difficult pre-season because of a calf problem, leaving some uncertainty over whether Tottenham's new-look double pivot will be available together against Brentford.

For Brentford, preparation has centred heavily on physical conditioning. Their intensive training camp in Portugal was designed to have the squad ready for exactly this type of contest.

Saturday will provide an early indication of whether Brentford's aggressive midfield approach can disrupt the control De Zerbi wants Tottenham to establish.

For Sangare in particular, stopping Tonali and potentially Fernandes would be an impressive way to introduce himself to the Premier League.

Can Mamadou Sangare disrupt Tottenham's £185m midfield and give Brentford the edge on Saturday?