Paul Scholes reckons Newcastle United have a player who’s even better than Declan Rice at Arsenal

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Sandro Tonali is certainly making up for lost time at Newcastle United and is becoming one of the very best midfielders around.

Newcastle United fans were understandably excited when Sandro Tonali joined from AC Milan in 2023.

The Italian had emerged as a star with AC Milan in Italy and represented another major midfield addition at St James’ Park alongside Bruno Guimaraes.

Tonali was quickly hit with a ban for breaching betting regulations at AC Milan, and only returned to action in August 2024.

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Paul Scholes on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali

Tonali made his comeback against Nottingham Forest last year and has now set about making up for lost time.

The 25-year-old has been outstanding for Newcastle this season and is proving himself as one of the very best midfielders around, not just in the Premier League, but around Europe as well.

Nick Woltemade has branded Tonali ‘amazing’ and few Newcastle supporters would disagree with that verdict right now.

Paul Scholes has now praised Tonali while speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, picking him out as the best midfielder in the Premier League.

Scholes noted that he likes Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, but he prefers controlling midfielders who offer more than pure defensive quality.

Scholes then picked out Tonali as his preferred option, praising the Newcastle star as ‘brilliant’ and even better than Declan Rice.

Rice has earned huge praise at Arsenal, but Scholes has been left more impressed with Newcastle star Tonali this season.

“I love Tonali as well. I love Tonali at Newcastle,” Scholes said.

“I was trying to think of a player, Tonali, especially. He can run. I think he’s been brilliant. Guimaraes as well. Very good. I’d probably choose Tonali at this point.

“Best midfielder in the league?” One Arsenal fan questioned.

“Yeah,” Scholes said.

“Over Declan Rice?” Scholes was asked.

“Yes, I think he’s better than Declan Rice, yeah,” he added.

• READ MORE: Why Newcastle’s contract talks with Sandro Tonali aren’t happening and how he feels about his future

Sandro Tonali to Juventus links should be brushed off

Newcastle fans are loving Tonali’s displays this season, and perhaps links with other clubs should not be a surprise.

Goal now report that Tonali has been spotted in Milan with his agent Giuseppe Riso, and that Juventus are interested in signing him.

Juve wanted to sign Tonali last summer but gave up on the idea of bringing him back to Serie A.

The Italian giants remain keen and are monitoring Tonali’s situation at Newcastle, but we just can’t see a deal being done here.

Tonali still has more than two years left on his Newcastle deal, and we cannot imagine that he wants to leave right now.

A return to Italy may appeal one day, but Juve’s spending in the transfer market has slowed down in recent years.

Newcastle would surely command a fee far beyond that Juventus can pay, especially if the comparable Rice was sold for £100million in 2023.