Newcastle United’s midfield will have a new look this season, even if no new signings arrive.
Indeed, Eddie Howe was forced to regularly use Lewis Miley last season after injuries to the likes of Joelinton, Elliot Anderson Joe Willock.
While the teenager was brilliant at times and underlined his obvious ability, a Newcastle team chasing Champions League qualification relying on a youngster so heavily was hardly ideal.
Such were the lack of options other than the crazily consistent Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff even had to play through injury.
This season, however, will provide Howe with a new option – before even taking into account any potential new signings.
Sandro Tonali is set to return from his betting ban and Howe has been speaking positively about the midfielder.
Eddie Howe says something has changed for Sandro Tonali at Newcastle now
Howe believes Tonali’s imminent availability has brought a change in the Italian midfielder, who is said to be looking like a new signing in training, adding that the former AC Milan star has a point to prove.
“He’s come back really fit and focused,” said Howe (via The Northern Echo).
“You can see a change in his demeanour – there is definitely a change in him in terms of feeling as he is closer to playing. It is very difficult when you have that stretch ahead of you and you are not going to play competitively for such a length of time.
“He now looks ready to play and ready to make a difference, he does feel like an absolute new signing and somebody we desperately missed last year.
“He will feel like he’s got points to prove and objectives to hit. He came here with very clear motivations to be successful. He is a deep thinker and someone who wants to do very well. I have no doubt he will.”
Sandro Tonali could impact Newcastle’s transfer plans this summer
Available again in late August, it seems Newcastle won’t be moving for a new midfielder this summer.
In fact, sporting director Paul Mitchell is believed to view Tonali and Willock potentially being far more available this season as providing the required depth for Howe in midfield, particularly given the reduced schedule this time around.
Clearly, the Italian needs time to get back up to speed, especially with the nature of his ban impacting what games he can and cannot play in during the pre-season schedule.
Still, after so long out of the picture, it’s time to see Tonali kick on this season.
He did not always cover himself in glory during his opening few games even if there were promising flashes and patience will surely be at a premium this time around.
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