Alan Shearer has showered praise on one Newcastle United star, calling him a ‘beast’ of a player.
Newcastle United have endured a difficult start to the new campaign, with transfer issues such as Alexander Isak wanting to leave, injury problems and the added burden of the Champions League all playing a part.
There have certainly been bright signs over the past week, though, with Newcastle smashing Union SG 4-0 to pick up their first European points and then defeating Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park.
The emerging chemistry between the exciting front three of Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon is also cause for optimism.
So are the performances of new signing Malick Thiaw in a defence that has been waylaid by injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
Thankfully, Eddie Howe has needed to do little to improve an already settled, quality midfield of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
The Italian is enjoying a great run of form and Alan Shearer thinks he has become a ‘beast.’
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Alan Shearer labels Sandro Tonali as a ‘beast’
After Shearer was told he should be ‘buzzing with the signing of Elanga on The Rest is Football, he was then asked to discuss if Tonali is one of the best midfielders in the country.
The Newcastle legend replied: “Yeah, I wouldn’t argue with that, I think.
“With the problems that he had when he first arrived, obviously well documented, and for him to have to sit and train basically on his own for months, he’s turned into a beast of a midfielder.
“He’s horrible to play against.
“And even his performances for Italy, if you’ve been watching them, when he goes away on international duty.
“He’s, Newcastle have got a top midfielder on their hands there. There’s no doubt about it. He’s brilliant.”
Sandro Tonali linked with Italy transfer again
The only issue with having ‘brilliant’, some may even say world-class, players when you’re Newcastle United is that there are bigger fish who can take them away.
Isak proved that all too painfully this past summer when he suddenly refused to play and eventually forced through his £125m transfer to Liverpool.
Newcastle will always be at risk of losing their best players, especially when they are not yet able to compete with the biggest clubs on the wages they can offer, with Isak doubling his salary at Liverpool.
Tonali could well be a prime candidate to attract interest in 2026 and, in a shock to no one, given it’s an international break, he has been linked with an exit once again this week.
Tonali, who Paul Scholes recently claimed was better than Declan Rice, met his agent this week in Italy, and Goal have reported Juventus are ‘monitoring’ his situation and that his ‘future is being discussed.’
These speculative links are nothing new, with Italian clubs being linked with one of their country’s top players every time he returns to his homeland.
However, while Isak’s departure proves contracts won’t stop a transfer, they do ensure a massive transfer fee.
Tonali is contracted to Newcastle until 2028, so if he were to leave, it would take a massive fee that no Serie A club can afford at present. That’s not to mention the league isn’t an attractive one to players in their prime.
Tonali may attract big interest next year but, if he were to leave, it’d be for a team of Manchester City or Real Madrid’s standing, not Juventus.
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