Champions League? Tonali will be lucky to get Conference League move after DISASTROUS Newcastle form

Sandro Tonali could become the latest star to leave Newcastle this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League but the midfield maestro may be playing himself out of a huge transfer with his recent poor displays.

A poor 3-2 home defeat to Brentord on Saturday left Newcastle sitting 12th in the Premier League, ten points off the top five and with just one win in their last eight games across all competitions.

Attention had been drawn to Tonali in particular this week after his agent admitted the 25-year-old could leave Newcastle in the summer if they miss out on next season’s Champions League, having reportedly offered his client’s services to Arsenal during the January transfer window.

But if the match was an opportunity for Tonali to either showcase his commitment to Newcastle or provide an audition to onlooking clubs, the Italian international did neither and only succeeded in epitomising the alarming fall in his and Newcastle’s declining performances.

While his head may have been turned by the speculation, in truth, it has been many months since Tonali consistently performed to his peak and when he was labelled the best midfielder in the Premier League by Paul Scholes.

Whether Newcastle will qualify for the Champions League – or European football at all – will largely depend on the performances of Tonali in Eddie Howe’s midfield as the Magpies look to rescue a potentially disastrous season.

Tonali running out of steam after intense Newcastle performances

In Tonali’s defence, only two players have featured in more minutes for Newcastle than him in the Premier League this season and, having been a relentless workhorse until the final whistle for the Geordies, it is fair to suggest that he may just be fatigued after a busy period in the campaign.

But therein lies the problem for Newcastle in general – Howe’s side have had trouble adapting to the intensity of playing in Europe and competing on all fronts, particularly with their desire to play with relentless pressing.

It is perhaps no surprise that Newcastle have appeared a shadow of the team that won the Carabao Cup last season, having also seen injuries take its toll on the squad.

However, Tonali would be expected to perform even more intensely in a top side and tiredness can’t be used as an excused at that level, even with perhaps more luxury to rotate at a bigger club.

Ultimately Tonali has so far failed to match his performances of last season and Newcastle may even feel as though it would represent good business to cash in on the ex-Milan star while his value is at its peak.

Having spent €59 million to sign him, Newcastle will likely demand in excess of €75m for his sale and it will take far more convincing performances for Tonali to justify that outlay.

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