Newcastle United’s midfield has not been firing on all cylinders this season, it would be fair to say.
While Sandro Tonali has impressed in flashes, things have not yet clicked between the Italian international and Bruno Guimaraes.
Though there is hope things will soon fall into place, it’s not yet obvious that Tonali and Guimaraes can work together.
Still, as frustrating as that is, the problem doesn’t appear to be with Tonali himself. Indeed, he’s shown enough to get excited about, raising hope a resolution will soon be found.
Certainly, Eddie Howe is confident things will soon work out.
Eddie Howe explains Sandro Tonali’s best position
After a relative struggle (albeit not on a vintage night for the team as a whole) against AC Milan, Howe was asked exactly what role he sees Tonali playing for Newcastle.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference (via Yahoo Sport), Howe said: “I want him to be himself, which is an outstanding technician, a very good athlete.
“For me, he can play all of the positions in midfield. But we need to give him time.
“I don’t think we can judge him, or any signings, within a month. Let’s take our time and be patient, because I know the quality of the player that we have.”
Another midfielder may still be needed
Newcastle reportedly remain open to the idea of signing a traditional No.6 which may, in some circles at least, raise questions about why exactly they didn’t move for one in the summer, amid the acceptance that Guimaraes was playing out of position there last season.
Clearly, that’s not Tonali’s fault. Still, without a functioning midfield, it’s difficult to see how Newcastle scale the kind of heights they did last season.
There is still time for things to work out but at a club that has raised expectations, the pressure is on.
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