There is undoubtedly going to be a huge amount of pressure on Sandro Tonali this season.
Such is the attention devoted to Newcastle United these days, any player who arrives for big money is always likely to attract headlines.
Clearly, what’s important for everyone connected to the club is that Tonali gets time to settle.
Obviously, when paying a reported £52m for a player, one might expect the finished article right away.
Still, this is a new league in a new country for a 23-year-old who has never played for a non-Italian side.
Indeed, it seems that is being noted behind the scenes too.
Newcastle staff were cautious about Tonali after tour of USA
Tonali starred on his debut against Rangers and again impressed in Saturday’s win over Fiorentina but perhaps was not at quite his best in the Premier League Summer Series held in the USA.
Again, there’s little need to panic given the Italy international is still getting up to speed under Eddie Howe.
Still, the Daily Mail provide some insight.
They claim backroom staff noted how Tonali would need time to get used to playing against Premier League teams for the first time in his career.
Could that be an indication he won’t start against Aston Villa?
With Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley impressing, it would not be a shock to see Tonali on the bench for the opener against Aston Villa at St James’ Park next weekend.
Bruno Guimaraes is surely nailed-on to start, while Joelinton and Sean Longstaff offer further competition.
At 23, Tonali has so much of his career ahead of him. In the short-term, there is little need to rush him into the team if he is not quite ready.
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