Sandro Tonali could hand Eddie Howe a fresh selection dilemma ahead of Newcastle United’s Champions League game against Benfica.
The Newcastle United manager will already be pondering changes to his starting XI following Saturday’s defeat to Brighton, with Anthony Elanga at risk of being dropped.
Now there could be an enforced change, with Sandro Tonali missing training on Monday through illness. He was nowhere to be seen as Eddie Howe prepared his players to face Benfica at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.
While Tonali has not been ruled out of the Benfica game, it is clear who should replace him if he proves to be unavailable.
Sandro Tonali celebrates with Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade after Newcastle United's third goal against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Photo by Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Lewis Miley must be Sandro Tonali’s replacement against Benfica
When you look at the Newcastle United squad, there are three options to take Tonali’s place in midfield if he is not able to feature against Benfica.
Howe can choose between Lewis Miley, Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock, but it is the former who should get the nod.
While Ramsey would be a more attacking choice, bringing him in would result in Bruno Guimaraes changing position. The captain would take on Tonali’s role as the ‘number six’, sitting in the centre of Howe’s midfield three.
However, bringing in Miley would allow Bruno to remain as a ‘number eight’. That is where he is at his best, with the 27-year-old able to influence the game higher up the pitch.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Despite being just 19-years-old, Miley has proven he has the temperament for the big occasions. He held his own during the Magpies’ last Champions League campaign, and he was only 17 at the time. Now Miley is more mature and has grown into his body, becoming a real physical presence for someone so young.
We have already seen Miley fill in for Tonali as a ‘number six’ this season. He did it brilliantly against Bradford City, showcasing why he is viewed as the midfield maestro’s understudy.
Taking on Benfica would be a step up for Miley, but he is someone who has the full trust of the gaffer.
Lewis Miley is expected to be a ‘number six’ long-term
During his short Newcastle United career, Miley has not necessarily had a settled position. While he has always been a centre-midfielder, his role within the Magpies’ midfield has varied.
Howe initially used the teenager as an eight, allowing him to go box-to-box and get into dangerous positions higher up the pitch. More recently, Miley has been given the more disciplined role as the six.
He is effective in both positions, but it is deeper where he is expected to play long-term. That is according to people within the England setup, with the Athletic’s Chris Waugh talking about Miley’s position on Pod On The Tyne in February 2024.
“In terms of Lewis Miley, you can see why, long-term, some people in the England setup think that number six could be his position,” he said.
“He seems to have a bit of everything to be able to play there.”
That could be where he plays for Newcastle United against Benfica, if Tonali is ruled out.