Sandro Tonali is not playing the best football of his Newcastle United career right now.
One year ago, Sandro Tonali was the driving force of this Newcastle United team. He was Eddie Howe’s most important player alongside Alexander Isak, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.
However, recent weeks have seen Tonali suffer a dip in form. The Italy international has struggled to perform at the level that has come to be expected, and that continued during Newcastle’s win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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The 25-year-old is normally so reliable in possession, yet he was guilty of multiple wayward passes. While it certainly was not a bad performance from Tonali, he is clearly capable of so much more.
He knows that himself, and he could not hide his frustration after being substituted.
Sandro Tonali showed his frustration after coming off against Crystal Palace
As Newcastle United attempted to take the lead, Eddie Howe made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute.
That resulted in Tonali coming off, with Jacob Ramsey taking his place in midfield. It was a surprising change, but one that summed up the £55million man’s display.
Tonali was visibly frustrated after being substituted, with the Athletic reporting that he ‘threw his coat across the dugout’ immediately after being withdrawn.
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That reaction epitomises his recent form. Given how good he can be, it has been strange to see Tonali’s levels drop.
Howe will hope he can get out of this slump soon, as his side continue to challenge on multiple fronts.
Lewis Miley threatens Sandro Tonali’s place in the Newcastle United XI
Howe has two options. He can either hope that Tonali plays himself out of this dip in form, or he can opt to take him out of the starting XI.
While the latter would be controversial, it is certainly a possibility given Lewis Miley’s looming return to midfield.
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Miley has been outstanding at right-back, but he is not going to be needed there much longer. Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier are fit again, with both players returning to the bench against Crystal Palace.
But given how well Miley is playing, dropping him would be extremely harsh.
That puts Tonali’s place in the side at risk, as he is the only Newcastle United midfielder who is underperforming right now. Bruno Guimaraes is playing spectacularly well, while Joelinton has shown serious signs of improvement.
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