Sandro Tonali has spoken about how moving to the Premier League has helped him in his development as a midfielder.
Few players have captured the hearts and minds of Milan fans like Tonali did in recent years. Even now, two years on from his departure, the sale of the boyhood Rossoneri fan is still a heavily discussed topic, and many still dream of his return.
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In the 2023 summer transfer window, Tonali chose to try a new experience outside of Italy. Fabrizio Romano reported at the time that he joined Newcastle for €70m including bonuses, and will get a potential €9m net per season for six years. After serving a gambling ban, he is now a key man for them.
‘The Premier League helped me’
Tonali spoke to the press before Italy’s match against Israel this evening, and he commented on what he has learned from taking a leap outside of his comfort zone to go and play in England.
“After the warm-up, the players can play in any stadium. When I play, I just focus; I don’t look outside anymore. Even when we played in front of 80,000 people, it was the same for us,” he said (via MilanNews).
“We play as if we were on the pitch and bring what we’ve prepared throughout the week. Tomorrow [today] we’ll face a respectable opponent, with strong players, so we mustn’t underestimate anyone but play our football.
“When you’re struggling, you work harder; you understand what you really want to do and what you care about. The Premier League helped me; they play a different kind of football, less tactical but very fast, quick, and physical.
“That’s the difference compared to other leagues. But it’s not just that; it’s the work that goes into it every day.”
Playing fast. not thinking about your bookie.
“In the 2023 summer transfer window, Tonali chose to try a new experience outside of Italy.”
I’m perplexed by this selection of words.
Takes two hands to clap.
He could have pulled a Tomori, an Adli, a Bennacer or Origi and refused to leave, but he didn’t in the end. So yes, it was his choice. Same with Tijani Reijnders. Both decided to move away from Milan.
But he is not Origi, he in fact took smaller salary to even come to Milan. His agent said clearly that he wanted to stay. In the end he did what the club wanted and thats what people who love the club do. But its funny how all of that is forgotten.
cz he’s true gentlemen not the parasites, he knew board doesn’t like him & his mentors
Oh please he was pushed out cause management wanted the money, even upon his arrival at Newcastle in vids with his gf he hardly even smiled. We sold a player that held the club close to his heart, was young and Italian.
Or maybe he was running away from the sh!t storm that was coming his way from the betting scandal he was the face of. It’s convenient how fast he agreed personal terms with Newcastle, even before Milan and Newcastle
had agreement, for someone that was “pushed out” of the club, and conveniently 2 months later he was suspended from playing football for a year.
That other silly comment about not smiling is hilarious. Tonali has a sourpuss face and rarely smiles. Its not like he was Ronaldinho, Leao or Reijnders who walk around smiling all the time so now we see a contrast change.
How was he running away from the betting scandal when he got punished in Newcastle too? Your comment makes no sense, but i guess everything to somehow justify the american ownership.
The media coverage, the scrutiny and pressure of the scandal in Italy and England wasn’t the same. He was a nobody in England and the EPL, he was somebody in Italy and serie A. Most EPL fans didn’t even know or notice that he was suspended.
I watch EPL and he was def somebody in EPL too. Otherwise why would they pay so much money for him. Also no one cared about the betting in Italy, and going in England wont stop the media writing whatever anyway. The only thing that really mattered is the punishment which again was coming no matter if in Newcastle or not. So again the whole running away cause of betting makes zero sense. He got sold cause the ownership got a lot of money.
You’re so stupid, Rossi. It’s clear that Milan must have known he would be involved in a case sooner or later, so it didn’t take long for them to agree to Newcastle’s offer. You’re so stupid, Rossi.
Was Rejndiers involved in betting too? And did you really needed a new account to comment lol.
“Was Rejndiers involved in betting too?”
Tiji asked to be sold. The initiative came from him.
I heard him say in the epl interview he granted one of the football pundits who spoke Italia, that was uncertainty when Maldini was sacked and that it unsettled the players because what he represented. So, when they offer came though it was difficult for him, but at same time it was easier to leave since Maldini was no longer there.
Tonali against Israel was called by the Italian commentators on Rai Uno the Man of the Match. He did everything. He helped the defense, recovered balls, helped the offense, ran like crazy, was creative (should have had two assists to Barella and Frattesi who wasted his excellent passes) and scored the winning goal. What a player! I love Tonali. I had his name on my Milan jersey. I was very sad and disappointed with his departure and I hope one day this true milanista comes back home to AC Milan. Forza Sandro! You are very special and I’m glad for your success after the difficult time you had.