Sandro Tonali – “Everything is different”
Few football stories this season carry the emotional weight of Sandro Tonali’s redemption arc at Newcastle United. The £55 million midfielder, once Italian football’s golden boy, has transformed from betting scandal pariah to St James’ Park cult hero in a journey that defies conventional career trajectories.
His recent revelations to Bein Sports offer a window into a player reborn, his words carrying the conviction of someone who has felt the game’s darkest lows and its most euphoric highs.
The Italian international’s description of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph captures the essence of his unexpected bond with Tyneside: “Before the game it was a dream, but after 10 minutes I felt we had a chance to win. It was the best feeling in the world.”
This from a player who, just months earlier, faced the prospect of his career unraveling amid a ten-month suspension. What makes Tonali’s resurgence remarkable isn’t merely his return to the pitch, but how profoundly the club’s culture has reshaped his perspective.
Tonali’s suspension could have been a career death sentence elsewhere. At Newcastle, it became a transformative experience. “When I had the ban, I was still inside St James’ Park, and everything from the fans felt the same,” he reflects, still visibly moved by the unconditional support during his exile.
The statistics underscore this bond – despite missing 32 matches, Tonali remains among the club’s top merchandise sellers, his name echoing around the stadium even when unavailable.
The midfielder’s preference for his “Ole Ole Ole” chant reveals deeper psychological insights. “It’s quicker, more energizing,” he notes, unwittingly describing his own playing style – all urgent forward passes and relentless pressing.
This synergy between player identity and fan expression has become a hallmark of his Newcastle chapter, contrasting sharply with his more restrained Milan days.
Tonali’s ambition burns brighter than ever. The Scudetto winner speaks like a man with unfinished business regarding Champions League football: “We spoke in the team because we have a chance this season, with five-team qualification.” His analysis carries the precision of his passing – acknowledging the opportunity while respecting the challenge.
The 24-year-old’s self-awareness about Newcastle’s post-cup dip demonstrates remarkable maturity: “After the trophy, everything is difficult…sometimes it’s normal for players to go down for a couple of weeks, but we need to push.” This introspection, rare in players his age, hints at leadership qualities that could see him follow in mentor Bruno Guimarães’ footsteps.
Tonali’s growing understanding with Guimarães and Joelinton has become the Premier League’s most intriguing midfield cocktail. The Italian’s metronomic passing (87% accuracy since return), Guimarães’ creativity (2.3 key passes per game), and Joelinton’s physicality (4.1 duels won per match) create a balanced triumvirate that blends technical excellence with tactical flexibility.
Their combined xG of 8.7 since February underscores how central they’ve become to Newcastle’s attacking patterns.
As Newcastle chase European qualification, Tonali embodies their dual identity – both gritty competitors and footballing idealists. His journey from suspended outcast to midfield linchpin mirrors the club’s own transformation under Eddie Howe.
Where others saw a damaged asset, Newcastle recognized a kindred spirit – passionate, resilient, and hungry to prove doubters wrong.
The coming months will test whether Tonali can maintain his upward trajectory. But one thing is certain: in an era of mercenary footballers, his connection with Newcastle feels authentically profound.
As he puts it himself: “In Newcastle, everything is different because it is passionate.” For a player whose career needed reigniting, that passion has been the perfect spark.