No one at Newcastle United will dare say it publicly until Marc Guehi is on an aeroplane heading north to complete his club record move but the return of Sandro Tonali from a 10-month ban for gambling offences really does feel like a new signing at St James’ Park.
That phrase is freighted with negative connotations from the bygone, unlamented Mike Ashley era when reluctance to spend meant injury comebacks were heralded as if they were as good as new arrivals.
Given the current recruitment issues at Newcastle, it is probably wise not to return to it. Eddie Howe has said the club will “probably” not be able to sign a centre-back and right winger they need before Friday, barring any outgoings – though the problems stem from Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) rather than funds.
Guehi’s move has jolted significantly closer in the last 24 hours, with fresh dialogue edging the clubs towards an agreement – and that could come as early as Wednesday after Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup game against Norwich City.
There’s still work to be done but it would be a much-needed positive after a largely flat transfer window where Newcastle appear to have taken a decision to leave PSR headroom for January and to ensure no emergency sales are needed rather than go “all in”.
But still, Tonali’s comeback has created a frisson of excitement at Newcastle’s Benton training base where one source who has watched him recently said the Italian midfielder was looking “electric” on the training field.
After serving his suspension he is back for a critical Carabao Cup game at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, wearing the captain’s armband, and has been welcomed back with open arms by fans, staff and players alike.
It will also, insiders explain, help Newcastle’s playing style evolve. The plan is for him and Bruno Guimaraes – the club’s new on-field captain – to dovetail effectively in a double pivot, giving Newcastle more ability to break the lines than they have done in the first two Premier League games.
That was an evolution intended for last year and the Champions League, but it is no less important 12 months on.
Given the decision of the Newcastle recruitment team to prioritise a centre-back over a right winger, adding that dynamism in the engine room could be crucial to given them an added edge in the battle for the top four.
“I think Sandro’s game can play different roles within our midfielder depending on what our tactical structure looks like,” Howe said when asked by i on Tuesday.
“That versatility is important to us. For me he can certainly play with Bruno – there’s no midfield players that we have that can’t play with each other. I’d like to think that doesn’t exist, that problem.”
Tonali’s time off has certainly been spent wisely, developing him as a person and player.
Described by Howe and others around the training ground as fairly “implacable” – the thin smile he wore when he signed was taken by detractors as a sign of unhappiness but it is his default setting – and he has become a popular figure among his teammates, who have rallied around him during his ban.
He has been included in social engagements and made to feel part of the team’s highs and lows on the field, as much as that has been possible given his ban extended to “red zone” parts of the stadium on match days.
Howe reflected on how much Tonali – nicknamed “Sandy” by colleagues at the club – had impressed since emerging from the lowest period of his professional career.
“Integrity” was one word he used and voluntarily taking a significant pay cut during his ban is an indication of the debt he feels he owes to Newcastle. So, too, is the way he has let his actions do the talking in throwing himself into life in the North East.
Weekly language sessions mean he now speaks English fluently and regular Zoom sessions with Italian psychiatrist Gabriele Sani are aimed at beating his gambling addiction.
Dr Ian Mitchell, Newcastle’s in-house head of psychology, has also played a big part in Newcastle’s recovery programme but there have been difficult moments.
Late last year, with club and advisors sensing he needed to put his ban in some sort of perspective, he visited a factory in the North East to speak to workers. Most were Newcastle fans and wanted pictures and to talk. He left with, in his words, new insight into what a privileged position he is in.
He has worked on upper body strength and with a personal sprint coach. He has been given weekly clips to watch and “homework” from analysts, gaining a deeper appreciation of the tactical demands of a Howe team.
“He’s a very strong guy, he’s handled this situation so well,” Howe added.
“He’s shown real strength, dignity, integrity, he’s been really strong because he’s been isolated at times. It hasn’t always been easy for him. He’s had some low moments and some lonely moments where the team has been playing.
“Sometimes with two away games we maybe haven’t been at the training ground on those days and he’s had to train on his own in isolation and keep his focus and spirits high and all those testing times for him.
“I think we’ll get a different player back, a stronger player mentally, someone who will enjoy his football and probably appreciate every moment because it has been taken away from him for a long period of time so hopefully we get the benefits of that.”
Wrestling a positive narrative from a difficult summer in the final days of transfer windows also feels important.
Howe dodged a question about whether he would prioritise a right winger or centre-back, citing respect for his current squad, and also sounded a conciliatory note on the number of signings made. PSR remains the common enemy, although Newcastle are restrained in their hostility towards it.
“There’s no problem with backing or support. There never has been,” Howe said of his feelings towards the club’s hierarchy, adding that decisions were now being made for the long-term.
“It’s the rules we’re trying to abide by and every decision we make has a consequence for the future so we have got to make sure we are making wise decisions and not leaving ourselves in a vulnerable position again further down the line.
“That’s why these decisions are complex. It’s not quite as simple as being backed. There’s backing there.
“Everyone wants the same result at the football club, but it’s making the best decisions for the long-term.”
It is just a month since Howe said new relationships and power dynamics would decide whether he stayed at the club.
“I’m building a really good relationship with [new director of football] Paul [Mitchell],” he said.
“I’m really happy how things have been progressing. It’s not on any one person. We’re trying to get the right end result for the club.”
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/FzsR1A5
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