Sandro Tonali believes he has grown into a far better footballer since joining Newcastle United and working under Eddie Howe, a manager widely praised for his ability to improve players.
Tonali’s transformation is another example of Howe’s growing reputation as one of the most effective coaches in the Premier League. While Newcastle’s progress in recent years has certainly been supported by the investment of the club’s Saudi-backed owners, Howe’s influence goes far beyond financial resources.
His tactical insight, player management, and ability to develop talent have been the real driving force behind Newcastle’s resurgence.
When Howe took charge, he inherited a squad low on confidence and struggling to find rhythm under previous management. Yet he quickly managed to turn several of those same players into key contributors in a revitalized team.
Fabian Schär rediscovered his composure and consistency at the back, Joelinton was reinvented from an out-of-form striker into a dominant midfielder, and Miguel Almirón began producing the goals and performances fans had long hoped for.
Joe Willock also thrived under Howe’s guidance, evolving into one of the club’s most dynamic midfielders. Each of these success stories points to the same thing Howe’s exceptional ability to unlock potential where others could not.
Sandro Tonali, despite arriving with an already glowing reputation from AC Milan, has experienced a similar evolution. The Italian midfielder joined Newcastle in 2023 as a marquee signing a Champions League semi-finalist, already seen as one of Europe’s brightest midfield talents.
Expectations were high, but Tonali’s adjustment to English football wasn’t immediate. He found the Premier League faster, more physical, and tactically demanding compared to Serie A.
There were even early doubts from pundits about whether he and Bruno Guimarães could successfully operate in the same midfield setup.
However, Tonali gradually adapted. His technical quality, vision, and work ethic began to shine, and it soon became clear why Newcastle had fought so hard to bring him in.
Unfortunately, his first season was interrupted by a lengthy suspension from football, which halted his momentum and raised questions about his future. But since returning, Tonali has been nothing short of outstanding.
At 25, he is now seen as one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League combining intelligence, aggression, and composure in a way that perfectly suits Howe’s high-intensity system.
According to journalist Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Tonali’s improvement hasn’t gone unnoticed within the club. Speaking in a recent video, Hope explained that Tonali himself recognizes how much he’s grown as a player since joining Newcastle.
“From all the discussions I’ve had, Sandro Tonali appreciates that the player he is now is not the same as the one who arrived here two and a half years ago,” Hope revealed. “He’s improved from being exposed to the Premier League and from working with Newcastle’s coaches. He’s an infinitely better player now.”
Hope went on to say that Tonali’s growth under Howe has been so significant that he has no interest in returning to Italy, despite speculation linking him with Serie A giants like Juventus, Inter Milan, and Roma.
“He wants to stay in the Premier League,” Hope added. “There’s no suggestion that has to be somewhere other than Newcastle.” That loyalty says a lot both about Tonali’s character and the culture Eddie Howe has built at St James’ Park.
Tonali’s improvement mirrors the broader evolution of Newcastle as a football club. Under Howe, the Magpies have re-established themselves among the top sides in English football winning the Carabao Cup, returning to Europe, and competing at a consistently high level.
For Tonali, this environment has been ideal. The physical demands of the Premier League, the tactical discipline Howe insists upon, and the close-knit team spirit have all contributed to shaping him into a more complete, confident footballer.
There was a time when few believed AC Milan would ever part with such a gifted young player, but Newcastle’s faith in Tonali has been richly rewarded. While his journey on Tyneside hasn’t always been smooth, he has shown remarkable resilience and maturity to come back stronger.
He now looks settled, motivated, and ready to play a central role in Newcastle’s ambitions to stay among the elite.
Tonali is under contract with the Magpies until 2030 a long-term commitment that speaks volumes about both his trust in the club and the faith the club has in him.
For Newcastle, he represents not just a brilliant signing, but a symbol of their transformation under Eddie Howe a project where talent meets development, and where good players become great ones. In many ways, Tonali’s words sum it up best: he’s not the player who arrived from Milan he’s infinitely better.
