Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Sandro Tonali is 'happy' at Newcastle United and is 'absolutely not' considering a return to Italy.
That is according to Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, after a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that the midfielder was 'tired of this situation'. The article claimed that Tonali feels like he is 'passing through' despite having three-and-a-half years left on his contract at Newcastle. However, Riso has rubbished such talk.
"Sandro is absolutely not considering to [sic] return in Serie A," Riso said in a statement through his agency, GR Sports, on Instagram. "He is happy at Newcastle, happy to play in the best league in the world and he’s an idol for the fans, who have always supported Sandro in every moment."
In truth, such chatter is nothing new. Even when Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan, outlets in Italy claimed the midfielder was in tears and did not want to go, but Eddie Howe said that was 'totally misguided'. It was made clear to Howe before the £55m move that Tonali was 'very proud to be here and to wear the shirt'.
Tonali's connection to the club has only grown stronger since then following the support staff, players and fans showed him during his 10-month ban. The Italy international has even previously spoken about being 'excited to be in Newcastle and not in another place because I have a top team and top fans'.
Tonali has admittedly made just half a dozen league starts since returning from his ban in August - lining up in as many games for Italy in the same period - but the 24-year-old only came out of the side at Brentford because of cramp following an impressive display against Liverpool three days earlier. In fact, Howe was 'delighted' with Tonali's performances versus Liverpool and Crystal Palace in the number six role and it would be a surprise if the midfielder did not line up from the off when Leicester City come to St James' Park on Saturday.
"Most importantly, for me, there's been a good dynamic in midfield," Howe said after Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton started together against Liverpool last week. "That's been really pleasing to see.
"It's not about the individual players when you're putting players together. It's about how that affects the team.
"I thought the Chelsea game in the cup was just as good. He did really well there. The Nottingham Forest performance off the bench, he was a game-changer there. He's performed really well in recent weeks."