Alexander Isak left Newcastle United in controversial fashion in the summer transfer window after forcing a move through to Premier League champions Liverpool on deadline day
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali arrives at St James' Park
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has left Alexander Isak out of his 'ultimate 11'
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Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has snubbed former Toon teammate Alexander Isak in his 'ultimate 11'.
Isak brought an end to a protracted summer transfer saga on deadline day when he was formally unveiled as a Liverpool player for £130million - smashing the British transfer record following three seasons on Tyneside.
Isak's departure to Merseyside proved controversial, with the striker effectively going on strike to force through a move after missing the club's pre-season tour of the Far East due to a minor knock. He then refused to feature in any pre-season fixtures or the opening month of the Premier League campaign.
The Swede has struggled since his move to Anfield with injuries and poor form, resulting in him scoring just once in eight matches for Arne Slot's side. And Tonali has opted to leave him out of his ultimate 11 while choosing his best team in a video on TikTok from Pro Direct Soccer.
Tonali picked three current Newcastle players instead - including midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes. Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier pipped Tino Livramento to be named as Tonali’s ultimate 11 right-back.
And on the right wing, Tonali named Jacob Murphy in his side. Murphy has been effective as Newcastle’s right winger, particularly since Tonali cemented his place in Newcastle’s starting line-up. Murphy contributed nine goals and 14 assists for Newcastle in all competitions last season.
Instead of Isak as his striker, he went for another Swedish forward up top in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Tonali also named former Manchester City and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Next to Trippier in defence, he named his former Milan teammates Simon Kjaer and Theo Hernandez along with Inter Milan and Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni.
In midfield, he did not name himself but instead listed former Newcastle transfer target Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan and Italy along with his former Milan teammate Franck Kessie and Guimaraes. On the left wing, he named AC Milan forward Raphael Leao.
Tonali has been a much-discussed player at Newcastle in recent weeks amid reports that he could be in line for a contract extension at St James' Park. The Italian then refused to rule out a potential exit from Newcastle in the future.
"This is a tough question because in football you need to think year on year," he said via the Shields Gazette.
“I don’t want to say ‘I want to stay here 10 years’ and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go. I want to think, just for me, year on year.
“This is football. Last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football.
“If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say, ‘Yes, I want to stay here for 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
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