Newcastle’s ‘whole package’ €25 million star is a better signing than James Maddison.
Let me say straight away that if it comes down to a straight choice I am glad Newcastle is signing Sandro Tonali ahead of James Maddison.
I believe the Italian is a better all-round player who will fit into Eddie Howe’s style of play much better than Maddison would.
Once it was obvious that AC Milan’s resistance had been broken and that Tonali was coming United dropped their interest in Maddison. The Spurs had a free run.
This lad is the complete package. He is much more than a defensive midfielder, he can play box-to-box, is quick, and loves to run with the ball. I have seen quite a bit of him and I am really looking forward to him wearing black and white.
What’s more, Tonali has his whole career in front of him. He is only 23 years of age, a young player of unlimited ability like Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Anthony Gordon, and Joe Willock.
Yet despite his tender years he has in the last two seasons won the Serie A title and reached the semi-final of the Champions League. What a combination – of youth AND experience.
I have a great interest in the Milan clubs, AC and Inter because I lived in the city for six years and my apartment overlooked the San Siro. We are talking royalty here, the perfect grounding for a Newcastle signing.
It is a terrific start to what I hope will be an exciting summer in the transfer market. United have to kick on and I am sure they will.
Midfield is an area where the Magpies desperately needed to strengthen. They only had Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, and Joelinton for the three positions last season and on the final day at Chelsea, all the last three were missing.
It meant Anthony Gordon and young Elliot Anderson had to start alongside Bruno and teenager Lewis Miley came on for his debut as a sub. With respect all around, that is far too thin a covering to be playing not only in the Champions League but Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup as well.
What a long way United has come since the days of Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce not that long ago. Now the club is signing the likes of Tonali and Bruno where the midfield used to house Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick!
They are still here for goodness sake because of the length of contracts they were given but if both have any pride they must find themselves a new club this summer. So too must Jamal Lewis. A player’s career is very short and they are not going to get a sniff next season. United are moving on at a rapid rate of knots and certain players have got left behind.
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