It is remarkable to think that Newcastle United may yet qualify for Europe again.
Indeed, Champions League qualification would surely have been the target before a ball was kicked this season given Newcastle’s brilliance last time out.
However, to be sitting in the Premier League’s top six with a chance of overtaking Tottenham in fifth after a turbulent campaign speaks to the fantastic work Eddie Howe has done.
At times, it’s felt as if this season would go off the rails. The relentless injury crisis has not helped matters of course but those behind the scenes are believed to view another event as something that derailed the club.
That is Sandro Tonali’s ban from football.
Coming towards the end of it now, Howe is pleased with what he’s seeing from the Italian in training ahead of his August return to action.
Speaking about the midfielder, Howe has shared some more insight into the feeling behind the scenes.
Eddie Howe says some of his Newcastle squad are missing “top player” this season
Howe said, via The Chronicle: “”He would have been a big, big player for us. He would have driven us to get some key results. The players have felt his loss as well.
“That has been a negative for the players to see him train and then not be able to train.”
Sandro Tonali is under big pressure at Newcastle
Obviously, Tonali will take time to get back up to speed after so long out of action.
Still, time isn’t on his side. There will be huge pressure on the midfielder coming back into the side, with Newcastle fans having waited so long to see the very best of him.
With Bruno Guimaraes potentially leaving too, Newcastle may need a new leader in the midfield.
Jason Tindall has hailed Tonali as a “top player”. Not long after his return, it’s going to be imperative that we see that.
Fail to hit the ground running and serious questions will need to be asked as to why the club signed him.
There have been flashes and Tonali should be treated with care given the situation. Still, that doesn’t mean patience lasts forever.
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