Thread by @JoelBlandSport

Sandro Tonali Thread🧵Part two:

#NUFC

Yet, as previously mentioned, the 23-year-old can also play as a roaming no 8, so let’s take a look at what he’s like in the attack.

In terms of player development, Tonali has gradually become more statistically involved in the attack over the last two years since joining Milan, accumulating 16 goal involvements in his last two seasons.

The midfielder initially struggled to make an impact in his first season, making only 17 starts for the club, and not registering a single goal or assist. However, Tonali openly admitted he felt an “added pressure” when joining the Italian giants as he was such a huge fan.

Now playing with more confidence, he’s a player who makes surging runs, depending on the type of attack.

For example, playing under a conventional “gegen-press” for Pioli, which emphasises pressing and vertical counter-transitions, Tonali would tend to run into space in the counter-attack, and position himself between the lines of the oppositions CB’s and FB’s.

This was something he developed playing for Brescia as his team generally only had around 40% of the ball and scored their goals through counter-attacking. However, with AC Milan averaging 56% possession, Tonali likes to be on the ball a lot more and dictate play.

In fact, he accumulated the fourth highest amount of touches in Milan’s squad with 1836, only behind defenders Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Theo Hernandez.

Tonali enjoys playing in swinging passes and applies a near-perfect weight to the ball each time. Additionally, he looks to play direct balls in the final third by deploying low-driven passes to the forwards - who drop between the lines to make use of his outstanding vision.

Furthermore, the MF likes to switch the play to break out of presses, as well as using his good level of agility to dribble into open space – progressed the ball 2809 yards last season, however, was only successful with 39.1% of his take-ons, which is something he can improve.

His shooting is generally good, but of course can be worked on – nowhere near as impressive as Nicolo Barella, who #NUFC have also been linked with recently, but are now expected to drop interest on.

He created 3.35 SCA’s per 90 last season, again comparing this to Guimaraes, who only slightly bettered that, averaging 3.63 SCA’s per 90.

However, Tonali can be wasteful in some attacking positions often rushing a pass - he lacks that extra bit of patience that top clubs’ “registas” tend to play with – this would also help increase his passing accuracy from 75% (most top teams’ CDM’s have 85% +).

In terms of set-pieces, he is extremely good at dead-ball passes, often opting to use an in-swinging technique to deliver the ball into the box. Yet, it is unlikely that Tonali would be good enough to remove Kieran Trippier from set-piece duties.

Overall Tonali’s - now expected - transfer to #NUFC is again marvellous business from the club. He is one of the most sought-after young MF's in the world, and already boasts a solid amount of experience in the Champions League and knows what it takes to win domestic titles.

The Magpies will be delighted to all but have the transfer wrapped up so early on in the window, so the midfielder will be able to freshen up and adapt to Howe’s style of play before pre-season starts. The golden age really is back for Newcastle United.
#NUFC