Sandro Tonali gushes over Eddie Howe in latest interview - Expects Howe to be a big part of his life beyond Newcastle United
Rumours around the future of Sandro Tonali are never going to go away, such is the nature of Newcastle United having a player of his undeniable quality.
Whenever Newcastle find themselves with a world-class player on their books, the media can't wait to drag them away from us and will run any story they can to suggest that we won't be able to keep hold of our top players.
With Sandro Tonali, it's the media in his native Italy that never got over him leaving Serie A that can't seem to let the idea drop.
Fortunately, Tonali seems to be very settled on Tyneside despite a rough start to life in the Premier League which saw him slapped with a 10-month ban from football just 12 games into his Newcastle career.
Newcastle supported him through that bleak time and the Italian feels he owes the club for that, and it now seems that he also feels he owes Eddie Howe for all he's done too, as he spoke very highly of his manager in a new interview with Sky Sports Italia.
“Beyond his qualities as a coach and what he’s given me on the pitch, he’s given me so much as a person.
“I’ll definitely always remember him with affection, and I think he’ll be part of my life in the future as well. In these three years together, he’s helped me a lot, on and off the pitch, and even today he continues to do so. He’s really a good person, and it’s no coincidence that he’s respected by everyone here in Newcastle, fans and players alike.”
Beyond that, though, Tonali recognises how highly regarded he is by the Newcastle fans, and he talked about how much they've helped him develop as a player and as a person.
“Our fans are very affectionate with everyone, but with me, there’s something extra.
“I recognise that, and I feel it from them, I always will, because it’s rare for such a bond to be created between a player and fans without really having done anything. I basically just play football. Many people play football, and many play it well, but not everyone has this kind of relationship with their fans. I was, and still am, surprised by the affection I receive.
“It goes beyond football; it’s a matter of everyday life. Too often, we judge people before really knowing them, and we hurt them.
“The line between right and wrong is very thin, but Newcastle fans never cross it. They see, they understand, and they think; they don’t judge. Their behaviour has taught me not to judge. Everyone can make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean everyone has the right to judge. I will always acknowledge this credit to Newcastle fans. If today I think this way, it’s because they did the same with me.”
Call me crazy, but those don't sound like the words of someone itching to return to Italy in the near future.
