Sandro Tonali

[Dubrovnik Dubravka]

The feeling that we've already peaked hurts a lot. It wasn't meant to go like this.

[r0cafella]

Just now, Abacus said:

Yes, I know Gordon was a different situation. Liverpool were dithering about with a fee anyway.

 

I'm just not totally sure how passive we are with it when these links come up with players who allegedly want away.

 

Which is another reason actually Gordon was different, because up until that point it didn't seem like his head had been turned. 

What do you mean by passive? I think we've learnt our lesson and it doesn't benefit us to keep unhappy players around so are open to selling. 

 

Obviously we have a few in mind and hopefully we've done the right thing behind the scenes and told his agent in no uncertain terms this is how much we want. 

 

Personally, I always found the head turned stuff to be absolutely bollocks and just a hallmark of a player who isn't particularly professional, we were only a stepping stone on the Anthony Gordon journey and I think that's quite evident at this point. 

[Abacus]

10 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

What do you mean by passive? I think we've learnt our lesson and it doesn't benefit us to keep unhappy players around so are open to selling. 

 

Obviously we have a few in mind and hopefully we've done the right thing behind the scenes and told his agent in no uncertain terms this is how much we want. 

 

Personally, I always found the head turned stuff to be absolutely bollocks and just a hallmark of a player who isn't particularly professional, we were only a stepping stone on the Anthony Gordon journey and I think that's quite evident at this point. 

By passive, I suppose what I mean is, if Tonali has indicated he wants away, might we have decided on his price and told his agent, either now or when he renegotiated his contract, that at £xm he can go. And then just let his agent get on with that. 

 

Or to what extent might we actively encourage it ourselves. I suppose it amounts to the same thing really so doesn't really matter, just idle Wednesday morn speculation.

[The Prophet]

5 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

I do but it’s mostly on the ball. 
 

I never thought he was as good as some claimed. Never thought he was better than Bruno. He was always loose on the ball.  
 

He was noticeably worse on the ball last season but it wasn’t anything new - just worse. As a unit the midfield has looked disjointed. Tonali isn’t good enough on the ball to hold but also needs better players around him at 8.  I think he’s best playing behind a 10 he can keep passing too. 
 

 

I don’t think he’s easily replaced at all. cm in a Howe system is difficult.  

 

Fair, I thought be regressed off the ball too. He'd often find himself out of position or wrong side of his man.

 

That's ultimately the frustration with him. On his day he's excellent, but we've not seen anywhere enough of it.

 

Aye, let's see. All the noise seems to be we're looking for a genuine six this summer, which would be quite a change in approach.

[TBG]

Andy Howe at the end of another day doing absolutely nothing

 

 

N-O members clocking in "one" last time

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, Dubrovnik Dubravka said:

The feeling that we've already peaked hurts a lot. It wasn't meant to go like this.

 

It's a long journey mon ami, keep the faith. 

[gdm]

2 hours ago, Dubrovnik Dubravka said:

The feeling that we've already peaked hurts a lot. It wasn't meant to go like this.

Should really have to say this We won a trophy that many never thought we’d see happen and got CL football twice its going fine 

[Wallsendmag]

What happened last season was always going to have consequences. The better players will be getting twitchy, maybe even losing faith in the "project" that they were sold. There'll be agents being instructed to test the water no doubt. We have a good few players who the top clubs would like to have. Gordon already gone, Tonali might well, and the vultures will be circling around Hall and possibly Livramento although his injury record might put suiters off him. Miley would be well sought after as well but wouldn't expect him to leave. Makes last season all the more frustrating as the talent is clearly there.

 

When PIF bought us in 2021 we all thought, or at least hoped for a completely upward trajectory but it was never going to happen like that as we were immediately stopped from doing a Man City. There'll be occasions where we'll have to go back over a bit before we go forward again. This is one of those times it looks like and puts us at a bit of a crossroads which makes this summer probably the most important transfer window we've ever had. If it goes right and we can push on again and get a top 6 finish then it would appear things are back on track. If we get it wrong again another bottom half finish doesn't really bear thinking about.

[AJ9]

We have a bunch of players that have matured and are probably not as hungry for this and Sandro is one. We move them on, we get in players that feel excited by this.  We need to sell well to bridge the gap, the best way to do this is by developing players and getting them playing well. We have a coach that we know can develop players, who struggled last year, but has an opportunity to refocus. We have come so far and while there are loads of worries there are lots of positives too (youth teams in particular). 

[KaKa]

22 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

What happened last season was always going to have consequences. The better players will be getting twitchy, maybe even losing faith in the "project" that they were sold. There'll be agents being instructed to test the water no doubt. We have a good few players who the top clubs would like to have. Gordon already gone, Tonali might well, and the vultures will be circling around Hall and possibly Livramento although his injury record might put suiters off him. Miley would be well sought after as well but wouldn't expect him to leave. Makes last season all the more frustrating as the talent is clearly there.

 

When PIF bought us in 2021 we all thought, or at least hoped for a completely upward trajectory but it was never going to happen like that as we were immediately stopped from doing a Man City. There'll be occasions where we'll have to go back over a bit before we go forward again. This is one of those times it looks like and puts us at a bit of a crossroads which makes this summer probably the most important transfer window we've ever had. If it goes right and we can push on again and get a top 6 finish then it would appear things are back on track. If we get it wrong again another bottom half finish doesn't really bear thinking about.

 

The only player that has any right to claim to have lost faith in the project is Bruno, because he continues to show full commitment and play at a high level, showing up all of his team mates.

 

Anyone else claiming to have lost faith in the project is taking the piss, because they haven't performed at a good enough level to push the project forward. Need to get rid of any player with this sort of mindset.

 

 

[Moose]

11 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

The only player that has any right to claim to have lost faith in the project is Bruno, because he continues to show full commitment and play at a high level, showing up all of his team mates.

 

Anyone else claiming to have lost faith in the project is taking the piss, because they haven't performed at a good enough level to push the project forward. Need to get rid of any player with this sort of mindset.

 

 

 

This. Tonali and many of his team mates phoned it in, played like shite and couldnt finish in the top half of one of the most wide open PLs in living memory. Was that because they lost faith in the project? Their shite performances are what caused the downfall, and now they have the cheek to think that they're above this and then swan off smelling of roses and blame the mess on every one else?!

 

There are several people responsible for the mess of last season from the owners to the management/backroom staff tot he playing squad. Tonali very much included in that.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Moose

[TheBrownBottle]

2 hours ago, Dubrovnik Dubravka said:

The feeling that we've already peaked hurts a lot. It wasn't meant to go like this.

Newcastle United was always a sleeping giant, and is more than capable of competing - what we are unlikely to be is a dominant force in English football.  But winning cups and qualifying for the CL?  We haven't 'peaked', we're more than big enough to do that on a reasonably regular basis.  We had a poor summer last year which created the conditions for a poor season.  I always found big transitions like this summer exciting - and I can't say I've blinked at the prospect of losing Gordon or Tonali (or Livramento for that matter).

[Mattoon]

2 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Newcastle United was always a sleeping giant, and is more than capable of competing - what we are unlikely to be is a dominant force in English football.  But winning cups and qualifying for the CL?  We haven't 'peaked', we're more than big enough to do that on a reasonably regular basis.  We had a poor summer last year which created the conditions for a poor season.  I always found big transitions like this summer exciting - and I can't say I've blinked at the prospect of losing Gordon or Tonali (or Livramento for that matter).

 

Yeah, I agree with this sentiment, its not the end of the book, its just a new chapter. I am excited to see what NUFC will look like next season.

[HayDen Traces]

Sad to see the cup winning team broken up but it was stale last year. The squad needs a shake up. Who goes out as part of that shakeup will always be a point of contention.

[nufcjmc]

1 minute ago, HayDen Traces said:

Sad to see the cup winning team broken up but it was stale last year. The squad needs a shake up. Who goes out as part of that shakeup will always be a point of contention.

 

Agreed in an ideal world we would have academy prospects waiting to step up for their chance to have a break out season, we would also be able to pick from our squad who goes to free up room/ deemed not good enough/ no longer affective/ right age and contract length left to sell before they go for nothing. 

 

Issue with that approach is you have to be able to find someone to take them for a price that makes sense and generates the funds to do something with. 

 

Unfortunately for us we arent there on either fronts it seems so if Tonali is at best happy to stay but would like to explore offers to move away then I guess we have to accept that with effectively 4 years left on his deal and already a high earner we cant really offer him anything more contractually to stay.

[Wallsendmag]

58 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

The only player that has any right to claim to have lost faith in the project is Bruno, because he continues to show full commitment and play at a high level, showing up all of his team mates.

 

Anyone else claiming to have lost faith in the project is taking the piss, because they haven't performed at a good enough level to push the project forward. Need to get rid of any player with this sort of mindset.

 

 

 

Yes but I very much doubt that would be Tonalis or Gordon's view for example. They'll see it differently to you or I.

[KaKa]

3 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

Yes but I very much doubt that would be Tonalis or Gordon's view for example. They'll see it differently to you or I.

 

And that is exactly why they have to go.

[KaKa]

Good article. Sums things up pretty well.

 

https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/newsnow-features-only/uk-premier-league202606sandro-tonali-tottenham-mistake-115m-record-transfer-newcastle-star

 

 

ANALYSIS: Tottenham ready to spend €115m on Tonali - but will it solve anything?

 

Sandro Tonali could become one of the most expensive players in history this summer after Tottenham positioned themselves to sign the Newcastle star for a jaw-dropping fee of more than €115 million.

 

Tonali has been strongly linked to leave St James’ Park during the coming transfer window and Newcastle will demand a significant fee if they are to part ways with one of Eddie Howe’s key players.

 

So far, despite tentative interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, no team has been willing to meet the Newcastle’s asking price, which is believed to be up to £100m (€115.6m) including add-ons.

 

Enter Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are desperate to make a statement signing this summer and the Italian coach is understood to have identified Tonali as his key target, particularly with other teams hesitating over the price.

 

Positive talks have been held between Spurs and Tonali’s representatives and the club are believed to be preparing an offer of £85m (€98m) plus add-ons, aware that they will need to act quickly and avoid drawn out negotiations with Newcastle to ensure rivals do not attempt to hijack any deal.

 

However, The Telegraph report that Newcastle are ‘braced’ for bids for Tonali after Tottenham’s interest became public, knowing that they could pull off another impressive sale by holding firm on an astronomical valuation for their Italian maestro.

 

Sandro Tonali: Will €115m record transfer solve Tottenham’s problems?

 

Tonali has been a key figure for Newcastle since joining the club for €60m in 2023, although the 26-year-old has only played two full seasons in the North East after serving a ten-month ban for gambling offences soon after his arrival from Milan.

 

While Tonali’s qualities were emphasised during his comeback campaign that saw Newcastle qualify for the Champions League and end a 70-year trophy drought in 2024/25, the midfielder’s shortcomings were more apparent last season.

 

The Italy international played the second-most minutes of any Newcastle player last season as the Magpies finished 12th, with their form – and Tonali’s – falling off a cliff after captain Bruno Guimaraes suffered a two-month injury in February.

 

Indeed, Tonali’s strengths were best displayed alongside Guimaraes as an unstoppable engine and runner who could allow the Brazilian to thrive with his creative and goalscoring responsibilities, but Newcastle’s midfield struggled to find a rhythm without their skipper.

 

In Guimaraes’ absence, Tonali became the most technical player in Howe’s midfield but he could not demonstrate the same ability to control the tempo and create chances with defence-splitting passes, while he also ended the season as the Premier League player who had the most shots without scoring.

 

Tonali’s early promise in Italy saw many comparisons to Andrea Pirlo, but the Newcastle man has always cited Gennaro Gattuso as one of his biggest role models, with his work rate and box-to-box playstyle far superior to his passing and technical game.

 

There is a notion that the misconception over Tonali’s playstyle has followed him to the Premier League, leading to questions over whether the former Milanista can justify such a lucrative price tag and a role as the most high-profile midfielder in a team.

 

While there is certainly justification for Newcastle’s valuation of Tonali – few players in world football boast an all-round skillset like him – Tottenham may find themselves frustrated if they pin their hopes on the potential €115m arrival to solve all their problems after finishing 17th last season.

 

At a top team like City or Arsenal, Tonali would complement the world-class talent around him and it can be argued that those sides could provide the platform to help elevate his game to a whole new level.

 

But the lack of movement from either of those teams at this price point is perhaps telling, with City preferring a more dynamic passer in Elliot Anderson, while Arsenal seemingly feel they can get similar value with a pursuit of a player like Manu Kone at half the price.

 

Tottenham making Tonali their record signing would certainly be a coup in many ways, but it may also represent a worrying deal driven by ambition and overeagerness rather than logical forethought.

 

Newcastle, certainly, would not lose any sleep if their asking price is quickly met and all eyes will be on Tottenham to prove whether the deal can be worth the outlay or risk further disarray if the protracted transfer backfires.

[The College Dropout]

I will never forget that Tonali quit in Camp Nou. 

[Teasy]

Over £100m is absolute daylight robbery on our part.  The club will be happy to see him go at that price, especially considering his performances last season.  Not just talking about his performance on the pitch either, which was always going to be effected by a difficult season.  But the fact that his reaction to tough times was to give up and plan his exit while the season was still underway.  Not a top player at all.

 

Now the only thing that matters is how we spend our money.

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Teasy

[Dr Venkman]

4 hours ago, Dubrovnik Dubravka said:

The feeling that we've already peaked hurts a lot. It wasn't meant to go like this.

Isak, Gordon, and Tonali were all speculative. Not cheap, but all the product of good scouting and coaching. I don’t want to lose Sandro, love him as a footballer, but this doesn’t have to be the end of anything if we get the recruitment right again.

[Milburn]

If Tonali genuinely believes he’s outgrown Newcastle, then good luck to him and good riddance.

 

And if someone is offering £100m, I’d probably drive him to London myself.

 

The only thing that leaves a slightly bitter  taste is the destination. If he sees Tottenham as a step forward in his career, despite them finishing behind us in three of the last four seasons, that doesn’t exactly send a great message to the rest of the football world.

 

Maybe it’s wages. Maybe it’s London. Maybe it’s something else.

 

But if players genuinely look at Newcastle and Tottenham and conclude that Tottenham is the more attractive project currently, that’s something the club should be asking serious questions about.

[Moose]

17 minutes ago, Milburn said:

If Tonali genuinely believes he’s outgrown Newcastle, then good luck to him and good riddance.

 

And if someone is offering £100m, I’d probably drive him to London myself.

 

The only thing that leaves a slightly bitter  taste is the destination. If he sees Tottenham as a step forward in his career, despite them finishing behind us in three of the last four seasons, that doesn’t exactly send a great message to the rest of the football world.

 

Maybe it’s wages. Maybe it’s London. Maybe it’s something else.

 

But if players genuinely look at Newcastle and Tottenham and conclude that Tottenham is the more attractive project currently, that’s something the club should be asking serious questions about.

 

I totally get where you're coming from, I've had those thoughts too, "are Spurs really a more attractive prospect than us? If so, then just what the fuck are we doing here?!" Then I remember that this is the same guy who left his boyhood club and one of the most prestigious names in football to come to us in the first place, I think him going to Spurs says more about him than us, although yes, the optics are terrible.

 

I'm through with trying to cling onto players hoping we can persuade them to stay, if they want out, get them to fuck and make sure whoever is buying them pays through the nose. A good player on his day but he chucked it last season, I could never really warm to the torn faced, mopey prick from the moment he signed, he looked gutted to be here.

 

 

Edited 43 minutes ago by Moose

[macphisto]

1 hour ago, HayDen Traces said:

Sad to see the cup winning team broken up but it was stale last year. The squad needs a shake up. Who goes out as part of that shakeup will always be a point of contention.

I'm not playing with words but is it a point of contention when we have Willock, Murphy and Joelinton in the midfield? I'd even throw in Ramsey too. It's only a bone of contention if it's between Bruno, Tonali and Miley who we sell.

 

 

[Doctor Zaius]

I think some are underrating him here in a competent tactical setup. He was very good 24/25.

 

Having said that, a £100m is mad money for him and if be very surprised if Spurs stumped up that.