In the last two weeks, Newcastle Unitedโs Sandro Tonali has been linked with a host of clubs in the Premier League and even in Serie A. His agent Beppe Riso denied the talk and suggested the Champions League as a key deciding factor regarding his future. Amidst all this, it is easy to forget the midfielderโs incredible rise at Newcastle United.
It is quite rare to come across so-called wonderkids that actually make it in football. A lot of times, it is players who werenโt really wonderkids that well and truly shine consistently at the highest level. Multiple talents that are given that tag struggle under the weight of it, face injury problems or simply make bad decisions. They never recover, going down a regretful path that fans look back on with a hint of sadness.
In a game like that and despite all the difficulties, Tonali has emerged through as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
At one point, the entirety of the Italian media was on the playerโs back. It isnโt to say he wasnโt at fault in the infamous calcioscomesse case, but the problem was always bigger than Tonali. He simply found himself in the middle of it, as a young player fell victim to what the game has hypocritically promoted.
Beyond that, it is easy for forget that the Italian came to the Premier League for a big price tag. That, in itself, brought in a lot of Italian attention on him, as Milan continued to regret his sale for quite a while. To many, there were doubts that he would never really make it at the highest level. Besides, The Premier League has never been a league where Italians have starred and Tonali had to get that reputation off his back.ย
He scored on his debut for Newcastle and famously, scored in his first game right after a return from suspension. If anything, that shows everything about his character and it has become a hallmark of his work ethic.
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Tonali has grown as a player at Newcastle
There is also a larger discussion to be had about the 25-year-oldโs growth as a player. At Milan, there was little clarity about what his role could be. He was undoubtedly younger but there would be debates about where he can be used best, amidst some inconsistent phases too.
Under Eddie Howe, Tonali has gained a lot of certainty about his role while playing in a setup which has defined roles. The system relies a lot on pressing, with the Premier League ultra focused on covering distance, high-quality sprints and playing quickly. This is right up Tonaliโs street.
He has never been the most technically proficient player โ despite the constantly Andrea Pirlo comparisons. He has always thrived more on covering ground, using his workrate to maraud up and down the pitch and getting odd goals.
Over time, he has also become someone who can hold position when needed. But Newcastleโs high-octane setup allows him to use his strengths too. That wouldnโt have been possible in Serie A, which is more controlled and relies more on technical ability of players.ย
ย All these factors are playing into Tonaliโs favour, who is now a 100 million footballer.
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Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
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