‘Blah, blah, blah’ - Newcastle United star passionately defends new star Sandro Tonali

Newcastle United star Callum Wilson has become the latest to rubbish reports that Sandro Tonali wasn't happy to move to the North East from AC Milan this summer.

The midfielder didn't crack too many smiles when touching down on Tyneside in July which led to some football fans questioning whether the star really wanted to make the switch. Tonali is a boyhood AC Milan fan and the club's supporters were surprised and saddened to see him move on this window.

The 23-year-old put some of those critics behind him against Aston Villa last weekend as he turned in a dazzling display at St James' Park, scoring the opening goal to start the 5-1 romp.

Speaking on the BBC Sounds Footballers' Football Podcast, Wilson sympathised with any difficulties Tonali might be enduring when adjusting to a new culture but argued it was normal for that to be the case.

The striker said: "First and foremost sometimes throughout July, landing in Newcastle I wouldn't have been smiling either, it's been raining 24/7. But he's come from Milan, it's totally different football and culture.

"He's probably born and bred around that area so that's his team. Football moves on so quick and ultimately his ability needs to be showcased in the Premier League I feel. That's what happened.

"He's quite a laidback, cool character anyway and even off the pitch he's one of them, you have to get to know him a little bit, chat to him and then get a smile out of him. There were people saying he doesn't even want to be there blah, blah, blah. His performance spoke a thousand words. He put in a man of the match display, he ran the game from minute one, scored early. You could see his ability.

"Obviously, when he did score he was happy and smiling. After the game he was buzzing, then he was backed to his chilled, reserved self. It's difficult for him, he's not got much English at the minute, he's in a new country learning a new language in a different environment. He's not going to be the Sandro he is around his own people and his own friends but that will come."