Paul Scholes snubs Rodri, Bruno and Rice as he names Newcastle player the best midfielder in the Premier League

In the ever-competitive world of Premier League midfield battles, few voices carry as much weight as Paul Scholes. The Manchester United legend, renowned for his own visionary playmaking during a career that yielded 11 titles and 155 goals, has never shied away from provocative opinions. In a recent podcast appearance on The Overlap, Scholes dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through football circles: Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali is the best midfielder in the league right now, snubbing heavyweights like Manchester City’s Rodri, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, and Arsenal’s Declan Rice.Scholes’ endorsement of the 25-year-old Italian comes at a pivotal moment for Newcastle. After serving a 10-month betting ban that derailed his debut season in 2023/24, Tonali has erupted into life under Eddie Howe. Positioned as a deep-lying regista in a revamped midfield trio alongside Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, the former AC Milan star has been instrumental in Newcastle’s surge up the table. With 92% pass accuracy, 2.5 tackles per game, and a knack for incisive forward passes that unlock defenses, Tonali’s stats scream elite. But it’s his composure under pressure—reminiscent of a young Scholes dictating tempo from the engine room—that truly captivates the Ginger Prince.

“He plays much similar to me,” Scholes explained with his trademark candor, drawing parallels to his own United heyday. “That vision, the way he sees a pass two moves ahead, and the humility to do the dirty work without seeking the spotlight. Rodri’s a machine—unbeatable in possession, the backbone of City’s dominance—but Tonali’s got that extra spark, the elegance in chaos. Bruno’s creativity lights up Old Trafford, don’t get me wrong, but he’s flashier, less anchored. Rice is a warrior, all energy and bite, yet Tonali blends it all: steel, silk, and subtlety.

“The snub has sparked debate. Rodri, the Ballon d’Or favorite, boasts an unmatched record—City lost just once in 74 games with him on the pitch last season. Fernandes, with 20 goals and 15 assists in 2024/25, remains United’s talisman, while Rice’s versatility has Arsenal dreaming of silverware. Yet Scholes argues Tonali’s adaptation to the Premier League’s intensity sets him apart. “Newcastle aren’t a juggernaut like City or Arsenal, but Tonali’s making them tick. He’s the next Rodri, but with Italian flair—think Pirlo meets Busquets.

“Tonali’s journey to Tyneside was no fairy tale. Signed for £55 million in 2023 amid hype as Milan’s prodigy, his ban for illegal betting threatened to define him. Instead, he returned humbled, channeling adversity into artistry.

Pundits like Paul Merson echo Scholes: “He’s the next Rodri, outstanding.”Critics counter that Tonali’s sample size is small—barely half a season post-ban—and Newcastle’s eighth-place hover tempers the hype. But Scholes dismisses the noise: “Talent doesn’t lie. I’ve seen enough midfields crumble; Tonali builds them.” As Newcastle eye Europe, Tonali’s rise could redefine the Magpies’ ambitions, proving Scholes right. In a league of giants, the quiet Italian might just be the new kingpin.