16 months apart – Pat Nevin and Eddie Howe in agreement on Sandro Tonali | OneFootball

Italy and AC Milan legend Andrea Pirlo has been compared with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.

Tonali of course a current Italy international and former AC Milan star, revered for helping them win their first Serie A title since the days of… Andrea Pirlo.

AC Milan winning Serie A in 2010/11 and then having to wait for Sandro Tonali to sign and help them to their next title win in 2021/22.

Italian football devastated to lose one of their very best young homegrown players at such an early age to Newcastle United.

After some outstanding recent performances by the midfielder, Eddie Howe has been asked about the comparisons between Sandro Tonali and Andrea Pirlo:

“When I first saw Sandro play, there were definite comparisons to Pirlo, without a doubt… and it’s not just the hair!

“There’s more to it than that.

“He’s definitely got those similar qualities in terms of build and style, but I think the thing that sets Sandro apart from anyone else. Was that he could do all of those things technically and tactically and looked really good, but it is his athleticism as well, his ability to run.

“We have seen that in recent games from a defensive viewpoint now more than an attacking viewpoint, where he’s sprinting to put out fires for us, nicking balls, intercepting balls, using his athleticism to track runners.

“He has been excellent in that respect and think that’s really helped the team.”

Interesting to read this also from Pat Nevin.

Going back over 16 months, when Sandro Tonali made his Newcastle United debut against… Aston Villa.

Villa were lucky to only lose 5-1, Sandro Tonali was outstanding and scored after only six minutes.

It makes you wonder what would have happened for both Tonali and NUFC last season, if that 10+ months ban hadn’t happened…

Pat Nevin speaking after Newcastle 5 Aston Villa 1 – 12 August 2023:

“Newcastle fans are going to like Sandro Tonali if he keeps on playing like this.

“If you look at him and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, that is a spectacular partnership.

“Tonali was absolutely everywhere.

“He has a confident arrogance about himself.

“Just everything he does – his crossfield balls, his comfort and confidence on the ball – he has the arrogance of Andrea Pirlo on the ball.

“He looks like the absolute complete midfielder.

“Everyone else was running around at top speed and he just seemed completely in control at every moment.”

Sandro Tonali now looks like he is desperate to make up for lost time, long may it continue!

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Tuesday 7 January – Arsenal v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports and ITV1 and ITVX

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports