Former United winger Chris Waddle feels Newcastle supporters have had a tough time this summer
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon in 2023
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon all left Newcastle United this summer(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's departed trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon are 'no better' than Alexander Isak for wanting to quit Tyneside.
That's according to former United, Spurs and England winger Chris Waddle, who feels Magpies fans have been dealt a bitter blow this summer.
Newcastle needed to move some players on this summer in order to be able to invest in the squad while staying on the right side of strict UEFA financial rules.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali departed early in the window to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively, but United were they handed an unforeseen setback when captain Bruno Guimaraes made it clear he wanted to leave.
A £75m move to Arsenal was finally agreed last week, and while new head coach Matthias Jaissle does has funds to bolster his squad before the window closes on September 1, Waddle has been left unimpressed by the wantaway stars - particularly Tonali, with the Italian's decision to move to Spurs questioned.
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"Arsenal looked solid in midfield last season and Bruno did so well at Newcastle but it goes to show you, doesn’t it?" Waddle told Snabbare. "Newcastle was his life. He loved the football club. Within three months he’s gone. He wanted out. He asked for a transfer.
"I don’t know why he didn’t come out with it at the end of last season to say he’s enjoyed his time but now he wants to go. Don’t lead the fans up the garden path telling them you love Newcastle.
"Let’s be honest, him and Sandro Tonali have been angling to leave Newcastle for months. It doesn’t come out of nowhere. For the last year or so we’ve been hearing about Anthony Gordon being linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.
"Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali were linked with Liverpool and Manchester United. It just so happens that the three players who have left are the three who had all the rumours spinning around them?
"I feel sorry for the Newcastle fans because they took these players to their hearts. They took Bruno Guimaraes to their hearts. They took Sandro Tonali to their hearts. I understand playing wanting to move on but be honest about it
"It’s not fair to be out there kissing the badge when you don’t really mean it. Anthony Gordon came out of the blue and Tonali and Guimaraes didn’t handle it right.
"Tell your supporters I’m really pleased and proud to have played for your football club but if somebody comes in for me offering Champions League football there is a fair chance I will leave.
"Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes have gone on to bigger and better things you can argue but what’s Sandro Tonali leaving for? The new Tottenham stadium?"
While all three exits were conducted in stark contrast to Alexander Isak's exit last summer, which saw the Swede effectively go on strike to ensure a move to Liverpool, Waddle feels there is not a lot of difference in reality.
Waddle had to suffer taunts when he left St James' Park for Tottenham in 1985, but the 62-times capped winger explained his situation was very different.
"A lot of people thought I jumped ship when I left Newcastle United but people forget I was never offered a contract," he added.
"They ran down my contract and I never got offered a new one. What was I supposed to do, sit in the car park waiting for one? I got the Judas treatment for that.
"For me, there’s no difference between what Alexander Isak did and what Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have done this summer. Isak downed tools but at least he was up front in saying I want to leave.
"The three this summer have gone about it the wrong way. When they go back to St James’ Park, will they be cheered or will they get booed? There’s no difference in my eyes between those three and Isak."
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