Sandro Tonali names the player he is most similar to after Newcastle move

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It has been a few years since an Italian represent Newcastle United, but that will soon change after Sandro Tonali’s arrival.

The 23-year-old was confirmed as a Toon player on Monday, and is excited to get started and meet his new teammates.

When he makes his Newcastle debut, he will be the first Italian player to do so since Antonio Barreca in 2019. If you don’t remember him, don’t worry. He was signed on loan by Rafa Benitez and made just one appearance for the Magpies.

Tonali won’t have to do too much to eclipse Barreca’s Newcastle career, and fans have extremely high hopes for the latest signing. So do the club, with insiders believing that he can become as good as England international Declan Rice.

That would be brilliant, as Rice is a top class midfielder. However, Tonali believes that his ability is comparable to another midfielder – someone who is idolised in Italy.

Sandro Tonali thinks he is just like Gennaro Gattuso

Tonali has spoke to NUFC TV, and was asked about him being compared to former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso.

“It has been a long time since the first comparisons, but I have managed to avoid thinking about it,” he said.

“At the beginning of your journey the comparisons can also hurt you.

“It has been many years since I’ve managed to separate things and leave them out on the pitch, but if I had to choose a person in terms of similarity, that would be Gattuso.”

Perfect Newcastle signing if he can play like Gattuso

Pirlo was the more famous, more aesthetically pleasing midfielder, but comparisons to Gattuso are nothing to be sniffed at.

He was a tenacious box-to-box midfielder – a combative and hard-working player who could dominate games with his anticipation and tactical expertise.

If Tonali can showcase those kind of qualities in a Newcastle shirt, he will be adored by Eddie Howe and the Toon Army. Being combative and a powerful runner is essential for an Eddie Howe midfielder, and it is why the likes of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff have done so well.

They are the players who Tonali will be competing with, as they challenge for the honour of playing alongside Toon talisman Bruno Guimaraes. Tonali is already excited to play alongside the Brazilian, and so are we.