Sandro Tonali responds perfectly to Italian media as ‘desperate’ Newcastle United exit talk emerges
Sandro Tonali has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester City in recent days - this nonsense must stop.
Sandro Tonali could not have made his intentions clearer on Saturday. From the moment he arrived, there were accusations that the Italian did not want to leave AC Milan.
His introverted persona was mistaken for reluctance but that did not stop Newcastle United fans from rejoicing following the £55million switch. Those fears were preyed upon further by news outlets when Tonali was slapped with a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations just 12 games into his Toon career.
Was this a conspiracy? Had Milan known all along that their midfield gem was set for a spell on the sidelines?
None of this was confirmed, but only fuelled uncertainty over Tonali’s signing. He was, after all, one of Europe’s most promising midfielders leaving his boyhood club - who happen to be seven-time Champions League winners - to join an ambitious project in northern England.
Few would swap sun-kissed skin and spaghetti for Wetherspoons and Storm Eowyn but Tonali did just that. Eased into the action by Eddie Howe, the 24-year-old’s switch to the base of midfield has transformed Newcastle’s season.
He is now purring, the fulcrum of everything the Magpies do. Without Tonali’s legs and guile, Newcastle’s backline is exposed and Bruno Guimaraes, his midfield partner who symbolises the post-takeover era, has zero licence to get forward.
But still, the reports pile up. Reputed journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is the latest cab off the Italian rank to claim Tonali wants out, with Real Madrid named as a possible destination.
Actions speak louder than words - but the Toon ace delivered both against Southampton to banish those rumours to the dustbin. A composed finish to wrap the game up saw his arms spread wide in celebration, complimented by a smile as wide as the Tyne.
He melted into the away end - feeling tangible love from supporters who chanted his name during the dark times. Did this look like a man angling for an exit?
“We’re a lovely team,” Tonali said post-match. “I work for my teammates, my teammates work for me, and this is fantastic because it's difficult to find this in one team, but we work together, we live together, we stay together every day in the training ground.
“We know last season for every player was difficult, but now after nine wins in a row, we lost the last game in our stadium, and now with a great reaction. Every player loves to play for Newcastle, loves to play for these amazing fans, for this amazing team.”
Italian media are beginning to look desperate in their attempts to settle the midfield maestro. It is about time the English press pack bit back - as all roads point towards Tonali remaining a hit at ST James’ Park for many years to come.