Sandro Tonali deservedly faced the Newcastle United boo boys on his home debut for Tottenham Hotspur.
On August 28, 2024, Newcastle United fans welcomed Sandro Tonali back with open arms. A 10-month turmoil was over - and the Italian could now return to playing the sport that he loves.
It was the first game - against Nottingham Forest - of a famous Carabao Cup run that should have defined his legacy at St James’ Park. But exactly two years and one day later, vitriol and venom rang out around North London, directed towards a mercenary midfield maestro who abandoned the black-and-white adulation for the big city life.
Not to mention, cough cough, the tidy sum of £275,000 per week. The Gazette asked Matthias Jaissle at his pre-match press conference if he would encourage the travelling Toon support to vent their frustrations at Tonali.
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In truth, there was never going to be any doubt. Just a week earlier, Alexander Isak - the ultimate persona non grata on Tyneside - faced his day of judgement with the Newcastle faithful.
He crumbled under the pressure. While not as petulant or unanimously disliked as the Swede, Tonali also received his just deserts for abandoning the Magpies in their time of need.
The full hymn sheet was prepared. From four-letter expletives to jokes about his new club, if Tonali had any doubts about where he now ranks among Newcastle fans, they evaporated as soon as the PA system read out his name.
And as he trudged off the North London turf on 74 minutes, the doubt must have crept in. Money and the city Tonali now calls home were likely the last things on his mind.
That moment provided the most ironic twist of all. Almost two years to the day since Newcastle supporters welcomed Tonali back with open arms, they gleefully waved him off.
Then, there was sympathy. Understanding. Forgiveness. Now? Not even a shred of it.
The reception was predictable. The performance? Less so. For all the emotion surrounding Tonali’s reception, it was Newcastle’s new £50million recruit who looked like the £100million man.
Nico Gonzalez was outstanding. He was composed and cultured, helping Newcastle wrestle control of the midfield before playing a pivotal role in Anthony Elanga’s opener.
It was difficult to imagine a more fitting snapshot of Newcastle’s prudent new transfer strategy. The fee they received for Tonali has not simply disappeared into the ether. It has been reinvested in Gonzalez, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba.
Three midfielders, one £100million pot. And on this evidence, Newcastle may have got the better end of the deal.
Tonali had once been the symbol of Newcastle’s ambition. The glamorous signing. The player who fans had waited years to see in black and white. Then came the ban, followed by the comeback and Carabao Cup glory.
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There was a narrative. Tonali could have written himself into Newcastle folklore. Instead, he chose Tottenham Hotspur.
The player who was once welcomed back as a prodigal son had become the temporary villain. In July, his £100million departure threatened to leave an unpluggable hole. Alternatively, it has funded an exciting rebuild.
And on the night it mattered most, the new United man made their former hero look ordinary. Perhaps Tonali will have better nights in Lilywhite. But on Saturday, the past met the present - and the emphatic winners were Newcastle.
Sandro Tonali got his pay cheque, Newcastle United got the better midfielder
Sandro Tonali got his pay cheque, Newcastle United got the better midfielder