Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonaliplaceholder image
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali | Getty Images
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is set to return to the San Siro tonight.
Sandro Tonali opened up about AC Milan holding a special place “in his heart” as he prepares to return to the San Siro.
Newcastle United stumped up £55million to sign the midfielder from Rossoneri two-and-a-half years ago. He was one of Italian football’s golden boys and signing Tonali was considered a huge coup.
All hell broke loose just 12 games into his Toon career when the 25-year-old was hit with a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. The Magpies stood by their man - and are now reaping the benefits of a genuine world-class midfielder.
Sandro Tonali on San Siro return
Italy take on Norway at the San Siro in their final World Cup qualifier needing a 9-0 win to book a spot at next year’s tournament. With that outcome unlikely, Tonali and Co are set to settle for a pivotal play-off spot in March.
On coming back to Milan, his boyhood club, Tonali told Sky Italia: “It is emotional, the last time was almost three years ago. It is a place that is in my heart and every time I go back to Milan will be emotional for me.
"It’s not the first time, but will always feel like the second, it’s always going to be wonderful. It wasn’t easy (against Moldova), but this is modern football. We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere.”
Sandro Tonali gives unconvincing answer
Tonali sent panic around Tyneside 10 days ago when he refused to commit his long-term future to Newcastle. He said: “This is a tough question because in football you need to think year on year. 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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‘Comfortable with honesty’ - Eddie Howe
On Tonali’s comments, Eddie Howe responded: “I’m always comfortable with honesty. None of us can make massive statements about the future because football is so unpredictable. Sandro has been very honest but he is happy and enjoying his football.
“He loves it here in Newcastle and is happy in the team he is in and happy in the environment and it is our job to maintain that so he can carry on his positive start to the season.”
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