Why Tonali’s ban could be a blessing in disguise for him and Newcastle

Tonali’s recent suspension by Italian authorities was due to his violation of betting laws, and as part of his punishment, he has accepted the need for eight months of rehabilitation and recovery. He has openly admitted to struggling with gambling addiction. While he’s under suspension, the 23-year-old may be allowed to train with Newcastle and participate in friendly matches. However, if Italy qualifies for the European Championships next summer, he will miss that tournament. Authorities have mentioned that his ban could have been up to three years if Tonali hadn’t demonstrated exceptional transparency during the process.

Newcastle is supporting their player throughout this ordeal, and he displayed his emotions during a lap of honor after his final Premier League appearance last weekend. Losing a player for whom the club spent €63 million just three months ago is undoubtedly a significant setback for Eddie Howe’s team.

 

Tonali has faced difficulties both on and off the field since his transfer, admitting to feeling “lost” in the initial weeks and struggling to adapt, as evidenced by his inconsistent performances in his 12 appearances for Newcastle.

Now that the fear of further punishment has been lifted, and with the pressure of being Newcastle’s joint-record signing, Tonali can focus on adapting to life in England outside of football. This gives Eddie Howe and Newcastle more time to nurture their promising talent.

Milan’s decision to sell Tonali this summer surprised many, especially since the midfielder had expressed a desire to spend his entire career at the club. Newcastle’s acquisition of Tonali was seen as a major coup.

Milan sources have denied any prior knowledge of Tonali’s breaches, contradicting Newcastle’s claims. Milan pointed to the record amount they received for an Italian player as the main reason for the sale, rather than anticipating a potential ban.

 

Newcastle fans' messages to Sandro Tonali 🙏 pic.twitter.com/so20nmu3y6

— GOAL (@goal) October 26, 2023

 

While Tonali made a spectacular debut for Newcastle by scoring early, his performance has been inconsistent since then, with four of his last seven appearances as a substitute. The language barrier has played a role in this, leading Newcastle to hire an interpreter to convey the manager’s tactical instructions.

Tonali’s playing style has not perfectly matched with Bruno Guimaraes, and Newcastle has found better balance in midfield with Sean Longstaff, Joelinton, and the fit-again Joe Willock.

The ban could be a turning point in Tonali’s Newcastle career, as he now has no option but to acclimatize by learning the language, building chemistry with his teammates, and adapting to English football and culture from a distance.

Tonali is appreciative of the love he’s received from Newcastle and its fans, as evidenced by his emotional reaction to their support. Eddie Howe may lament the loss of Tonali in his squad but also sees the benefits of maintaining midfield consistency, rather than disrupting team cohesion to aid the new signing’s adaptation.

In the end, with Tonali just a few months into his five-year contract, the suspension is a temporary setback rather than a fatal blow. It could be seen as a test that will ultimately make both the player and the club stronger as they embark on the path to redemption.