It’s amazing to think Newcastle United may yet finish in the Premier League’s top six despite a truly turbulent campaign.
Obviously, the idea of missing out on Champions League qualification would have been hugely disappointing before a ball was kicked this season but context feels important.
Eddie Howe has had to deal with a multitude of problems all season. The relentless injury crisis has shown little sign of slowing down and recently claimed Fabian Schar as its latest victim, after all.
Newcastle were also unable to bring in January reinforcements as a result of FFP limitations, placing yet more pressure on a squad already stretched.
Then, of course, there’s Sandro Tonali.
The club’s big summer signing has been unable to play since October as a result of breaking betting rules. Indeed, some sources behind the scenes at Newcastle are understood to view Tonali’s ban from football as one of the major reasons their season has been so frustrating.
Still, there is hope that the midfielder will return to the game next season in a much better place. He will have had more time to develop his English skills, as well as get used to Howe’s ideas at the training ground.
Speaking after the news Tonali would face no further time out of the game after the FA’s recent investigation, Howe shared some updates as to what exactly the former AC Milan star has been doing in training.
Eddie Howe now shares what he’s seeing from Sandro Tonali in Newcastle training
The Toon boss was speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley.
“I’ve seen the hunger there [to return to playing] throughout the entire time,” he said (via The Chronicle).
“He’s done a lot of work alone, individual work, fitness work, gym work, we’ve worked on his speed, and covered loads of aspects of his game to try and help him.”
Sandro Tonali is already under pressure at Newcastle
It would be foolish to suggest anyone who’s missed so much football can instantly return to the game in red-hot form.
It will surely take a while to get back up to speed.
Still, Tonali does not have long to wait. He must prove he was worth Newcastle’s investment, while they must prove they haven’t got a big signing wrong.
With Bruno Guimaraes potentially leaving this summer, Tonali simply has to step up.
The post 'I've seen': Eddie Howe shares what he's noticed about Sandro Tonali in Newcastle training recently appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.
