'Never gets it': Former Italy international aims scathing criticism at Newcastle United star
We're probably going to come across as extremely hypocritical now as we go into bat for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
There haven't been many outlets more critical of the Italian's output this season than us, but our frustrations come from knowing how good he is and him not showing it for so long this season.
The Italy international is starting to step up, though, and his brace against Aston Villa on Saturday was a strong message to the world that he's back!
However, it seems that former Italy striker Antonio Cassano is still going to take some convincing.
Antonio Cassano says Sandro Tonali should switch sports
The 43-year-old ex-striker who managed 10 goals for Italy in 39 appearances has taken aim at many of the Italy side ahead of this year's World Cup, telling Calciomercato that so many players simply aren't good enough.
Cassano claims that only Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a winner before taking a swipe at Tonali.
“The only champion is Donnarumma. Pio Esposito? He’s twenty years old and we consider him a rookie: Totti and I made our debuts at seventeen.
“He should do athletics. Tonali plays in the Premier League and never gets it. He runs and runs… he should do athletics. He and Barella are poor. Barella used to run, but now he doesn’t. We need quality.”
Antonio Cassano needs to have a look at his own career before judging Wor Sandro
Cassano seems to have a pretty high opinion of himself, mentioning his career alongside that of Francesco Totti.
Tonali is only 25 and already has 30 Italy caps; Cassano managed 39 in his entire career. There are levels, mate.
Time will tell who ends up with the better legacy with the Italian national side, but we'll back Wor Sandro any day. Yes, we've been on his case a lot this season, and we're sure that he has been even more critical of himself than we could ever be.
