Sandro Tonali has finally been announced as a Newcastle United player after weeks of speculation, in a transfer that may probably finish up costing the Magpies £70m.
Several pundits and commentators have wondered whether it’s a smart transfer for Newcastle, suggesting the Italian’s arrival may now not necessarily present a clear way of impacting the membership.
Tonali’s diverse skillset, however, is EXACTLY what Eddie Howe has been crying out for at St. James’ Park, as FourFourTwo‘s Adam Clery highlights in the video above.
Sandro Tonali is ideally suited for Newcastle – here’s why
The 23-year-ragged played for AC Milan across any of the three midfield positions in either their 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 arrangement, though his pass completion percentage of 75 per cent last season is, relatively frankly, worrying.
Do you have to actually stare at where he attempts the majority of his passes, though, the numbers turn into a lot clearer. A large proponent of progressing the play via his dribbling, Tonali invariably tries killer via balls more normally than suitable keeping possession with a sideways or backwards passes.
By their very nature, these killer balls reach off far less, which sees Tonali’s stats reach out more similar to these of a forward player than a deep-lying midfielder.
Indeed, Tonali contributed a lot to chances Milan had on goal in the 2022/23 season, rendering his sad pass completion stats a moot point.
And, when it involves Newcastle, Tonali will present loads more attacking intent than the likes of, say, Sean Longstaff. Whereas this intent may now not always reach off, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson will certainly favor having more balls to feed off, whether they’re chipped into the box or played in behind defences.
What’s most important for Eddie Howe, however, is that Tonali’s arrival enables Newcastle to change tactics mid-game, something he hasn’t necessarily had the luxury of doing since taking over. His dribbling is spectacular, yet he can detached retain the ball expertly, ought to the game require him to.
Defensively, too, Tonali can excel. Remarkable in the tackle, the Italian has a lot of vitality and is diligent in his tasks at tracking runners and keeping shape.
Ultimately, Tonali has a plethora of attributes that Newcastle merely did now not have in any one player sooner than his signing, highlighting why they spent so considerable cash in the first place.
Extra Newcastle United stories
Newcastle United transfer information is ramping up, with the Magpies house for the most sophisticated start of any Premier League membership.
Following the signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, the Toon have been linked with a trio of English players, including Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s interest in Kieran Tierney may probably liberate Alexander Isak to play more of a “Thierry Henry characteristic”.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Skills your first month for suitable £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per 30 days with out a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Strive first month for suitable £1 / $1 / €1