ESPN pundit names three Newcastle players Sandro Tonali is already better than

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Newcastle United are set to sign a player who can ‘do a bit of everything’ in Sandro Tonali.

That is the view of ESPN pundit Craig Burley, who has spoke glowingly about the 23-year-old ahead of his move to St James’ Park.

It was reported on Wednesday night that the Magpies are prepared to pay £60million for Tonali, and it now looks like a deal is very close to being agreed. He will reportedly earn around £165,000-a-week, with the Italian due to sign a six-year contract with the club.

Signing Tonali is a statement of intent for Newcastle, who have spent the start of the summer transfer window searching for a marquee midfielder.

Eddie Howe has been looking for a defensive presence who can play the ‘number six’ role, and it appears that he is finally going to get his man. There has been talk about Declan Rice and Nicolo Barella, but it is Tonali who is on the brink of a move to Tyneside.

He is an exceptional talent, and a player who Burley thinks is already more talented than three members of Howe’s midfield.

Burley thinks Tonali is better than Joelinton

Burley spoke about Tonali on ESPN’s official YouTube channel, and admitted that the midfielder could add more goals to his game. However, he does believe he is an improvement on the majority of Newcastle’s current midfield options.

“He can do a bit of everything,” he said.

“The one thing I would say, he could do with adding some more goals to his game. But he fits all the profile. He gets around the field, very good on the ball, young.

“Guimaraes is a different kind of player. Then you have Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton. I think Tonali is a better player. I think Barella is probably an even better player but that’s a different story.”

Lack of goals will not be an issue for Newcastle

Tonali has spent six seasons playing as a professional in Italy, scoring 13 goals in total. In that respect, he could do with adding more goals to his game. However, that is not going to be his priority at St James’ Park.

He will operate in a deeper role, protecting the defence and starting attacks from deep. Scoring and creating goals will be for the players ahead of him, who should benefit from the solid foundation he provides.

The Italy international immediately strengthens Howe’s midfield, and I think Burley is right that he is better than Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff. That might seem harsh on Joelinton, but Tonali is a more complete player who will operate in a different role.

Regardless, Tonali will still have to adapt and prove he deserves his place, as someone like Longstaff is not going to give up his position that easily.