Yes exactly. I said Berge because I was there too and I was advocating for him when they got relegated
I assume now he'd be a 50-60m player if we want to get him from Fulham. Still surprisingly underrated.
Sandro Tonali
- Thread starter Tom Van Persie
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Yes exactly. I said Berge because I was there too and I was advocating for him when they got relegated
I assume now he'd be a 50-60m player if we want to get him from Fulham. Still surprisingly underrated.
The top teams still usually have one player who is more dedicated to ball-winning and being more disciplined defensively, as per the examples I gave you - even if said player is also still excellent on the ball.
I hope we can manage that. For me, the big mistake with Amorim was not hiring him - it was hiring him without having a long term plan for how we would play wether he succeeded or not. Starting on a ‘three year patient long term restructuring’ plan and then tossing it all - playing style and formation included - after a year indicates this was no better thought out than old Woody would’a. I just hoped that this was a fit of Berrada hybris before the roles were established, and that someone else will make those decisions (and better!) going forward.
Such a good player. Seems able to do everything to a good level.
Just bagged an assist
He's very complete with few flaws in his game. He's also very mobile, excellent recovery pace, can actually go past a player and is a very good, albeit not spectacular passer. Would love him at United. Great age as well.
His 3rd in the PL this season. What a player.
Iniesta averaged 4 assists per season in La Liga. Shouldn't really judge a CM based on his assists. Much more to the game than that.
Yes exactly. I said Berge because I was there too and I was advocating for him when they got relegated
I assume now he'd be a 50-60m player if we want to get him from Fulham. Still surprisingly underrated.
He’s still Sander Berge and he’s still worth about £30m… tops.
his avg. passing per game is 43, with 85% passing rate. Key pass avg is less than 1 per game. Avg Tackles is 1 per game, even less than Mainoo. Whoschored avg rating is 6.58. this season.
Yes. A very complete midfielder.
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There are many reasons Newcastle are where they are in the table, and Tonali being poor up until about a month ago is a key one.
Newcastle fan criticism from just last month:
And so on.
In particular, note the repeated references to his passing and technical ability. Things that were cited as weaknesses even before he joined Newcastle, and a consistent theme of the criticism levelled at him this season.
He's played better recently, and his athleticism would obviously improve us. But it would be insane for us to spend such massive money on another player with clear limitations in possession.
Far from being a "complete" midfielder, this is someone who even if playing well posters would eventually start citing as a reason our midfield can't keep possession and control games as we would like. Which I don't think is the type of midfielder most here want, especially at a premium price.
Newcastle fan criticism from just last month:
And so on.
In particular, note the repeated references to his passing and technical ability. Things that were cited as weaknesses even before he joined Newcastle, and a consistent theme of the criticism levelled at him this season.
He's played better recently, and his athleticism would obviously improve us. But it would be insane for us to spend such massive money on another player with clear limitations in possession.
Far from being a "complete" midfielder, this is someone who even if playing well posters would eventually start citing as a reason our midfield can't keep possession and control games as we would like. Which I don't think is the type of midfielder most here want, especially at a premium price.
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I think he's shite.
I don't think you understand what complete means. Other centre midfielders like Mac Allister has 6.60 avg rating, Mateus Mane has 6.60, Sadiki has 6.56, Berge has 6.57, Curtis Jones has 6.43, Yarmoliuk has 6.49, Andrey Santos has 6.40, Baleba has 6.28. Other players like Lammens has 6.54, Welbeck with 6.52 etc. What is your point? Are you really basing a player's quality off whoscored ratings?
There are also these takes;
The impression seems to be that they consider him one of their best players who has been in poor form. His passing and technical qualities have always been good, but has been a bit sloppy recently especially in terms of passing. It appears that this is more a confidence/unhappy/mental problem more than lack of ability. At his best he is incredibly complete and can do nearly everything to a high level. Works insanely hard and wants to win at all costs too. Proper leader type and would be great in our midfield, the only doubt for me is the cost.
The match was in the FA Cup...
He is still only on 2 assists in the PL for the season.
For comparison Bruno has 14, and even Wharton has 5 for Palace.
Makes you realise just how under appreciated Bruno is by many
Why? Bruno is a creative attacking midfielder, Tonali is an all-action CM. Not the same type of players at all.
Comparing a freak creator like Fernandes to basically anyone on assists is a silly idea, anyway.
Tonali is a proper up and down central midfielder. He’s quick, tireless, duel winner. Quality on the ball is passable. Perfect age profile for a signing of his quality.
He’s not exactly a perfect fit, but I don’t think there is a CM target out there who is. Considering we need two this summer, it should likely be a Tonali or Anderson style with another who is more of a sitting 6 with quality on the ball.
Tonali is a proper up and down central midfielder. He’s quick, tireless, duel winner. Quality on the ball is passable. Perfect age profile for a signing of his quality.
He’s not exactly a perfect fit, but I don’t think there is a CM target out there who is. Considering we need two this summer, it should likely be a Tonali or Anderson style with another who is more of a sitting 6 with quality on the ball.
Problem is Newcastle don't want to sell him and your looking at £100mil.
I didn’t say they were. But when you see Bruno’s creativity it’s off the charts and possibly the best in the PL era.
Says a lot about world football right now that some people consider him a top player.
He seems a tad overrated to me. Some of his passing against us was not that accurate and he got caught a few times.
Miles better than what we got but never a 100 Mio player.
Miles better than what we got but never a 100 Mio player.
Let’s not waste our time trying to sign this guy for a ridiculous fee when we can be going for Hackney from boro. He’s quality and he’s young. Wouldn’t cost a fortune either
We’re looking at the wrong midfielder at Newcastle. Their Bruno is the one
As great as he is, he is 29 in November and would cost £100m+.
Classic Woodward signing
Bruno is a real difference maker though. They are a different team when he plays. Regardless of age profile, I would be taking Bruno over Tonali any day.
People talk about age profiles, but Casemiro is still fantastic at 34. It wasn’t his fault we signed poor coaches who made him look bad.
We want to be building for the future, but we also want to be up there getting CL football every season and challenging. I don’t think Tonali pushes us any closer to that, but Bruno G definitely would.
People talk about age profiles, but Casemiro is still fantastic at 34. It wasn’t his fault we signed poor coaches who made him look bad.
We want to be building for the future, but we also want to be up there getting CL football every season and challenging. I don’t think Tonali pushes us any closer to that, but Bruno G definitely would.
Obviously we’d only be looking at him if he was pushing for a move away - which would lower the asking price.
No indication that he is….just he’s the only player worth looking at from that team
Either way, Bruno is seriously under appreciated. Lest not forget he was played in a very vulnerable two man midfield and still put up very high numbers for assists. So whichever way you play Bruno, he still has an insane output. Tonali not matching that isn't an issue. I think he would be excellent in our current set-up - extremely mobile, solid passer, great technique - just about as complete as they come.
My ideal central midfield summer window for United, which I don't think would be completely impossible based on the various links and rumours, would be at least 3 signings:
- One of: Anderson; Tchouameni; Valverde; or perhaps Pablo Barrios and Camavinga (injury considerations permitting)
- Wouter Burger; or perhaps Chema Andres
- Mateus Fernandes; or perhaps Smit or Aleksandar Stankovic
There are of course various factors which will determine the extent to which the above is feasible, e.g. competition from other clubs, budget, which clubs get relegated etc. But I think something like that is what United should be targeting and wouldn't be completely outrageous.
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Average players having average ratings
Casemiro (7.02), Frenkie de Jong (7.01), Joao Neves (7.09), Valverde (7.09), Tchouameni (7.06), Arda Güler (7.08). What about these players with a little bit better rating?
Tonali has lower rating because of his poor form, not his quality as a player. But maybe you think James Garner (7.22) is a better midfielder than Vitinha (7.14) if you believe whoscored ratings are the be-all and end-all.
Can't see us paying big money for 28 year old, yes he is definitely their best player but INEOS don't like moving away from this 25 and under criteria. Now this guy fits into that bracket, however people do make very valuable points about his passing and low assists.
Really good player, but what if he starts betting on matches again? This is something that cannot be ignored. I dont want that kind of player at our club.
The stupidity of it is alarming.
I remember Ivan Toney releasing some “from the heart” statement about his gambling addiction. Now I’m not downplaying addiction at all, and with lots of money, time and few other vices for footballers, it’s an easy trap… but you can bet on literally anything. Poker, cricket, horses, darts, roulette etc etc. There’s absolutely no excuse whatsoever to be betting on the sport in which you’re professionally employed. Gamble on whatever else you like, just not that. Your addiction may make you bet, but it doesn’t make you bet on football.
Damn Tchouameni would be a dream and signal ambition!
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How much do you reckon it would take?
Imagine the meltdown from the barcodes 
Wary of it all the same mind
Wary of it all the same mind
I’d love him here but slightly concerned that would blow a significant part of a budget that should be aiming for 4+ players.