Sandro Tonali is still adapting to life at Newcastle.
The big summer signing impressed on his first appearance for the club against Rangers but it would perhaps be fair to say Tonali hasn’t set the world alight since.
Clearly, pre-season isn’t the time to draw all too many definitive conclusions from, particularly when it comes to a player operating in a new team and a new system for the first time.
To say the Newcastle star has been criticised for his performances against Aston Villa and Chelsea would be too much of course but there has been an acceptance the 23-year-old hasn’t quite clicked yet.
Indeed, Craig Hope of the Daily Mail pointed that out following the draw with the Blues in Atlanta while elements of his outing against Villa were picked apart online.
Again, that’s not to put too much pressure on a man adapting to a huge life change but it is worth reflecting on what Eddie Howe said about his biggest summer signing.
Eddie Howe delivers verdict on Sandro Tonali’s performance against
Of his outing, Howe said (via journalist Ben Jacobs): “I think it takes time with every new player.
“There is an adaption period especially for players who come from different leagues. Sandro will have experienced a higher intensity and quality of opposition during the last two games. He’s getting used to our style and his teammates.”
This is what happens at Newcastle
This is nothing new for Newcastle in the Howe era.
While it seems an age ago now, it took Bruno Guimaraes a few games to force his way into the first-team after his arrival in January 2022, while Anthony Gordon recently spoke of the challenges he faced in adapting to a new style.
There is no need to panic. The club’s recruitment has been spot on since the takeover and Tonali is still getting to grips with such a big change of scenery.
Arriving with some big pedigree, Tonali has a bright future.
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