Sandro Tonali

[The College Dropout]

He’s been transformational.  
 

Onviously we’ve not signed a first team player in over a year. But we didn’t have Tonali in that time.  
 

We’ve replaced our weakest player, a central midfielder at that. With arguably our strongest player - at worst 3rd/4th strongest.   It’s not 1 level, it’s at least 2.  It’s like replacing Fabian Schar with a 24 year old VVD or Murphy with Saka. Probably a bigger gap than that still. It’s only 1 player and the same system more or less but an entirely different team. 
 

It’s a massive ask bexuas it’s difficult to make such big upgrades on the rest of the squad. But if we can sign another couple players the level of Tonali, Isak, Bruno etc and have some luck with injuries……..

we  can win the Premier League boys and girls.  

[Curva Sud Milano]

3 hours ago, HawK said:

 

But in the real world, he was becoming to Milan what Maldini was, what Gerrard was to Liverpool or Raul to Real.

 

 

Franco Baresi more than Maldini. It may surprise you but Maldini had a terrible relationship with the ultras due to a couple of bad episodes... Baresi on the other hand is an absolute legend as well as being the strongest footballer to have ever worn our shirt in 125 years of history.

[Chicken Dancer]

I was worried that it was never going to work. I feel like a fool now  

 

But seriously, last season and even when he first came back this season, of course there were glimpses but I just always felt he was too similar to Bruno for it to work.

 

Moving him central changed the trajectory of our season. He's comfortably in the top 3 midfielders in the league and I don't think it's outrageous to say he's the best player I've ever had the privilege of watching in Black and White. 

 

The engine, the drive, the intelligence. He's just absolutely mint and I'm buzzing he's ours. With him, Isak & Bruno we have a trio of players that can take us wherever we want to go. Add a few this summer and we really are cooking with gas.

[Curva Sud Milano]

2 hours ago, healthyaddiction said:

The italian media seem to think we are happy to sell him to Juventus for £70m. You'd need to double it to start the conversation.

 

It will never happen that he goes to Juve, he will return to us (Milan) at 30 years old, certainly not to Juve, or worse, to Inter. You should be afraid of Madrid or City, certainly not of Italian clubs.

[HawK]

45 minutes ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

Franco Baresi more than Maldini. It may surprise you but Maldini had a terrible relationship with the ultras due to a couple of bad episodes... Baresi on the other hand is an absolute legend as well as being the strongest footballer to have ever worn our shirt in 125 years of history.

 

Thank you - I appreciate the correction, every day is a learning day !

[Curva Sud Milano]

9 minutes ago, HawK said:

 

Thank you - I appreciate the correction, every day is a learning day !

 

Cultural exchange...I have loved British football since the 80's and this year I have watched almost all of Newcastle's matches and you are  very spectacular to watch. But please let Sandro take the free kicks, especially the ones from the left.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, The College Dropout said:

He’s been transformational.  
 

Onviously we’ve not signed a first team player in over a year. But we didn’t have Tonali in that time.  
 

We’ve replaced our weakest player, a central midfielder at that. With arguably our strongest player - at worst 3rd/4th strongest.   It’s not 1 level, it’s at least 2.  It’s like replacing Fabian Schar with a 24 year old VVD or Murphy with Saka. Probably a bigger gap than that still. It’s only 1 player and the same system more or less but an entirely different team. 
 

It’s a massive ask bexuas it’s difficult to make such big upgrades on the rest of the squad. But if we can sign another couple players the level of Tonali, Isak, Bruno etc and have some luck with injuries……..

we  can win the Premier League boys and girls.  

This is why I’ve always been so impressed by our transfers. They always spot the biggest weaknesses and they always seem to know exactly what we need to move forward. And we now have Mitchell’s expertise as well. Exciting times for sure. 

[jack j]

2 minutes ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

Cultural exchange...I have loved British football since the 80's and this year I have watched almost all of Newcastle's matches and you are  very spectacular to watch. But please let Sandro take the free kicks, especially the ones from the left.

The problem with that is. Anything that is blocked or cleared. Then sandro has the pace and wins it straight back fir us. We aren't the quickest team when we get caught on the counter attack. But he changes that

[Curva Sud Milano]

10 minutes ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

..... But please let Sandro take the free kicks, especially the ones from the left.

 

 

 

[r0cafella]

Just now, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

 

 

You don't need to convince us we want him taking set pieces too. 

[Curva Sud Milano]

10 minutes ago, jack j said:

The problem with that is. Anything that is blocked or cleared. Then sandro has the pace and wins it straight back fir us. We aren't the quickest team when we get caught on the counter attack. But he changes that

 

Yes but also consider that you have Botman out... who is by far your best defender.

[LionOfGosforth]

4 hours ago, ChrisMcQuillan said:

Was a pleasure to watch him in person last night after finally winning a ballot.

 

There was a point where the ball was in the Gallowgate/Leazes corner, and we'd just lost possession fairly early on. Tonali turned to check who was near him, saw a Palace player who would likely receive the ball next, then looked over his other shoulder to identify where the pass after that would go before their first player had even received the ball. He started positioning himself to intercept the follow-up pass.

 

The Palace player passed as expected, and then made the follow-up pass. Tonali intercepted with ease. 

 

His reading of the game is sensational. In a split second he'd worked out the next two Palace passes and positioned himself to get the ball back before the first pass had even been played.

 

Incredible player.

 

He's like the Minority Report of midfielders

[jackyboy]

He won't leave us he loves Tynemouth too much

[Myleftboot]

1 hour ago, jackyboy said:

He won't leave us he loves Tynemouth too much

It’s a bastard to get parked though when the suns out.

[Dr Venkman]

I might quote myself again, quite like it.

[Dr Venkman]

On 27/08/2024 at 09:58, Dr Venkman said:

I think by the end of this season he is talked about as part of the small group of players you want to keep hold of at all costs.