Sandro Tonali has been linked with Arsenal, Juventus and Real Madrid but is happy at Newcastle
Newcastle Untied head coach Eddie Howe congratulates Sandro Tonali(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has spoken for the first time since the transfer window closed and reaffirmed his commitment to the club and Eddie Howe.
The Italian’s future has been the source of much speculation again after a deadline day bombshell which saw the player linked with Arsenal.
While both the Gunners and Newcastle insisted there was nothing in, it emerged an intermediary had offered Tonali to the North London side. Tonali’s agent came out and insisted it wasn’t him, but then did nothing to quell the rumours by saying that he would discuss the player’s future with the Magpies hierarchy at the end of the season.
Tonali’s form over the last few months has dipped alarmingly, with the schemer failing to reach the heights he hit last season.
However, he returned to form with an outstanding performance against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday, scoring twice to inspire his side to a comeback win which puts them into the fifth round of the competition.
Tonali celebrated both goals wildly with the travelling Toon Army and also raced over to Howe to jump into his arms after the second goal. And now, he has revealed his reasons, saying that he wanted to show that his relationship with his manager remains strong despite the speculation.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali celebrates his first goa(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
He said: “The first one, this celebration was, I think, seven months without scoring; if you don’t score for seven months, after the first goal, you celebrate for ten or 11 goals – like Bruno (Guimarães)!
“But after the second goal, I came to Eddie (Howe) because in the past few weeks, people spoke about our relationship, but I work every day with the gaffer, the gaffer works every day with me, and our relationship is perfect. It’s not broken and I think this is perfect for the team.
“We try to do the best for this team, every game, because we play a lot of games – every three days, we play, and we have to be concentrated every time in the training ground to do the best for our team.”
Tonali by his own admission has had a slow start to the season but hopes the victory against Villa can kickstart his own return to form as well as give the team a much-needed confidence boost.
Newcastle now have back-to-back wins away from St James’ Park as they head off for another tough trip, this time to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in the FA Cup.
“It’s important for the team, because it’s the second win in a row away, and for me it’s important because it’s the first two goals in my season,” he added. “I’ve started a little bit late, but every time when you score, your game and your day is different!
“I’ve tried to score for the last two months a little bit more – but the first most important thing always is the team.
“I’m happy especially for Nick (Woltemade). He played as a midfielder and he played very well and he scored the last goal. And I’m happy for for every player, for every member of staff, for all the fans.
“Today was an amazing game; we played very well. This game is so important because we have one dream: to come back to Wembley.”
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings