Sandro Tonali is yet to be officially unveiled as a Newcastle United player, yet the club have already identified two areas in which he can improve.
The 23-year-old is going to become the Magpies’ first senior signing of the summer, with the midfielder due to arrive from AC Milan very soon.
He is a marquee arrival, and the deal for the Italian appears to have been the catalyst for Newcastle cooling their interest in James Maddison. The 26-year-old is now set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur.
Tonali is a very different player, and is someone who should fit in more seamlessly on Tyneside. However, like every other player at the club, he is going to have to work extremely hard to be ready to play for an Eddie Howe side.
Two areas Sandro Tonali needs to improve ahead of Newcastle transfer
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle already believe that Tonali needs to become stronger and fitter to be a success in Howe’s midfield.
That sounds like a slight on his ability, but it is more a testament to the Toon boss and just how demanding he is of his players. Tonali is a Serie A winner with Champions League experience, yet even he needs to improve his physical output to thrive under Howe.
There will be an adaptation period for Tonali, and it is set to be a very important pre-season for him. It is just a shame that it will likely start late for him due to his involvement in the Under-21 European Championship.
But when he does eventually start training with his new teammates, Tonali will quickly realise how demanding Howe is, and how physical you need to be in the Premier League.
It will be a challenge, but one that the Italy international should rise to, much like every other player Howe has signed since his arrival at St James’ Park.
The Newcastle manager has made pretty much every player better since he got the job, and Tonali should be no different. Considering how good he already he, that is a very tantalising prospect.
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