Sandro Tonali says £10m Newcastle United player is the most underrated he’s ever played with
Sandro Tonali has named a surprise Newcastle United star as the most underrated player he has ever played alongside.
The Italian has been sensational for the Magpies this season after returning from his 10-month ban.
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Sandro Tonali slotted back into Newcastle United’s midfield and has completely transformed the way Eddie Howe can play. The 25-year-old has formed a fantastic partnership with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes this season, with the pair linking up beautifully in midfield.
This season has seen Tonali adopt a deeper midfield position, allowing Guimaraes and Joelinton to join attacks, safe in the knowledge that Tonali is there to cover for them in the event of a counter-attack.
Recent reports in Italy have suggested Tonali could leave Newcastle this summer, but it has been confirmed by the player himself that he is happy on Tyneside and wants to repay the club for their support during his ban.
With Tonali set to stay this summer, he has taken the time to praise a Newcastle star whose future looks in serious doubt.
Who is Sandro Tonali? Say salve to Newcastle United’s Italian midfield maestro
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Sandro Tonali praises Newcastle United teammate Sean Longstaff
The 2024/25 campaign has been a disappointing one for Sean Longstaff. The midfielder lost his place in Newcastle’s starting XI when Tonali returned and has had very few opportunities to win his place back.
After Joelinton’s injury layoff was revealed, Longstaff would have had renewed confidence that he would be getting more minutes, but that has not been the case. Joe Willock took Joelinton’s place in the starting XI for Newcastle’s 1-1 draw against Brighton last Sunday.
Additionally, Lewis Miley is above Longstaff in Newcastle’s pecking order. The chances of him starting another game for the Magpies this season look highly unlikely.
Despite that, Tonali has still praised the 27-year-old for his performances.
During an interview with Futbot Canada, Tonali was asked who his most underrated teammate ever was.
“Sean Longstaff in Newcastle,” he said.
Tonali also said that his debut for Newcastle made him cry. The Italian put in a stellar performance against a quality Aston Villa side, scoring the opening goal of the 5-1 win.
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Although he remained on the bench for it, Longstaff can say he helped Newcastle make history when they won the Carabao Cup in March.
An academy graduate, Longstaff is an inspiration to many young Newcastle fans who want to follow in his footsteps. However, his time on Tyneside could soon come to an end.
Longstaff could leave Newcastle for around £10m this summer, with clubs like Everton and Leeds United interested in his signature.
While there are rumours surrounding his future, selling Longstaff would impact Newcastle’s European registration. The Magpies need at least four homegrown players who came through the youth system. Longstaff is the only player who fits the bill as it stands.
Newcastle will risk losing out on places in their European squad next season if they do decide to sell him and fail to bring any club-trained players in this summer.
Sandro Tonali opens up on gambling addiction and Newcastle United support
Bruna Reis
5 – 6 minutes
Sandro Tonali has revealed he visited a factory on Tyneside that helped him change his perspective on gambling following his ban from football. The Newcastle United star admits he had struggled to come to terms with his addiction but is now working through his issues.
Less than four months after arriving at St James’ Park in a huge £55million move, Tonali was slapped with a ten-month ban from football for breaching betting rules. After his ban was confirmed in October 2023, the Italian had to wait until August 2024 to return to competitive football.
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During that period, Tonali admitted he isolated himself from his family and friends. “In the first two months I was detached from everyone, then returning to life, training every day without having the match, I realised that I was paying for what I had done,” he told La Repubblica.
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“I haven’t had it [his mobile phone] for six months in the last year. Of course I felt a sense of freedom, the sensation of being okay even without it. Before, I couldn’t go from room to room, today I take it when I leave the house and leave it when I come back. I only take it back if mum, dad or a family member calls me.”
He now has a different perspective on gambling after attending a meeting with factory workers. “In Newcastle, in a factory that produces covers for gas pipes in the ocean, I went there because gambling is very widespread in England,” Tonali explained.
“There were those who told me, several months after the disqualification: ‘I stopped betting because of what happened to you.’ They had been compulsive gamblers for years. An Italian told me that an employee earns £2k a month, but sometimes needs to work overtime to support his family. He throws too much money away on gambling.”
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The support from Newcastle during that period was also significant for Tonali. “[Helped] a lot. My teammates and coach have always kept me inside, as have the staff and management,” the midfielder continued. “The Newcastle fans and the opposing fans have never judged me. Here they respect everyone’s problems, they don’t push things too far and they try to help.”
Newcastle are now reaping the rewards from that support. Tonali has returned to the Newcastle first team fold this season to produce some scintillating displays in the heart of the Magpies midfield, and is now one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s teamsheet – and attracting attention from elsewhere. It is down to the player himself, however for turning his life around – and it hasn’t been easy.
“In the first two months I was detached from everyone, then returning to life, training every day without having the match, I realised that I was paying for what I had done,” he admitted.
“My lifestyle was negative. I was closed off from everyone and this made me change my behavior: even with the people who loved me and whom I loved. I was like that both at the training ground and at home, with friends and family. Today, fortunately, I am different.”
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It was an addiction that gripped the Italian star young. Born in Lodi, he first sprung to prominence with Brescia as a 17-year-old, helping them win Serie B. A move to giants AC Milan followed in 2020 aged 20, but by then his betting had already taken hold.
“It became a habit when I was 17-18.,” Tonali revealed. “And normality when it started to take up a lot of my time. The fact that it was online obscured me from everything, I closed myself in my shell.
“I actually think I never had it (knowledge of being addicted). When a person finds themselves in a situation like that, it’s difficult to ask them if they’re sick. They’ll always say no. Even if they feel that it’s not the case. They can’t think they have that problem, so they tend to hide it.”
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