Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has reportedly urged Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso to consider a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, amid growing speculation over the player’s long-term future at Newcastle United.
According to reports circulating in European media, Di Matteo believes Tonali’s technical quality and tactical intelligence would make him an ideal fit for Alonso’s possession-based system, which has drawn widespread praise during his tenure in Germany.
The Italian manager is said to have made his comments during a private football forum appearance, where he discussed emerging midfield profiles suited to elite European clubs.
Tonali, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan, has endured a mixed spell in English football, with his on-field performances occasionally overshadowed by off-field circumstances and adjustment challenges in the Premier League.
Despite this, he remains highly regarded across Europe for his passing range, defensive awareness, and ability to dictate tempo from deep midfield positions.
Di Matteo reportedly emphasised that a structured, tactically disciplined environment under a coach like Alonso could help unlock Tonali’s full potential. He suggested that a system built around controlled build-up play and positional rotation would suit the Italian international far more than the physically intense, transitional style often associated with the Premier League.
‘If Sandro Tonali is to leave Newcastle this summer… he’s someone I like a lot,’ Di Matteo told Ladbrokes. ‘I think he’s a class player. He’s a good age, too.
‘I’m not sure whether CHELSEA need another player in that particular department, I suppose it would depend if someone leaves. You know, they have Enzo [Fernandez], [Moises] Caicedo, Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia. If one of those was to leave, then maybe.
‘I would love to see him at Chelsea. But, for me, their priorities this summer should be in other areas of the pitch.’
Newcastle United sources have consistently maintained that the midfielder remains integral to their plans, particularly as the club continues to compete domestically and in European competitions. The club invested heavily in his arrival and are said to be committed to supporting his development over time.
While Di Matteo’s comments have added fuel to transfer speculation, they are not understood to be based on any formal negotiations or contact between the clubs. Instead, they reflect wider admiration within European football for Tonali’s underlying talent and suitability for elite tactical systems.
For now, any potential move remains purely speculative, but the discussion highlights the growing attention surrounding Tonali’s future and the increasing influence of coaches like Alonso in shaping recruitment.
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