jimharri
Well-Known Member
What's the betting we're not in for him?
*in before the rush of gambling quips*
;-)
*in before the rush of gambling quips*
;-)
Sandro Tonali
- Thread starter SPIDERBOY
- Start date
Earlyriser
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See the last sentence in my original post.
a little when he was at Benfica, but not like with Bellingham or Wirtz who City were courting a long time
Blue Bogey
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Fair enough and your last sentence we agree, but that doesn’t mean talent isn’t there. It is how talent is used.
To recognise talent, sometimes it is in the finer details, you can see that just occasionally is visible in a player, rather than just use stats and I am not saying you base lack of talent on stats. Use your own eyes and don’t be swayed by the media and other fans opinion. Tactics play a large part in how much we see of natural talent.
Baffling considering the playing style pep prefers
depends on what we are looking for
he clearly is not full package like Rodri who can do it all, but Tonali basically is Pirlo with legs
he's biggest issue, that he is not elite ball winner and will not dominate duels like Rodri
we were 'stacked' at that time
I'm guessing that's where Anderson comes in, he's a duel winner.
simon23
Well-Known Member
If we got Anderson we dont need Tonali.....Nico G is a better ball winner than Tonali....
Even if Rodri leaves we need more of a number 8 and wingers...
Plus a damn right back to at least challenge Nunes
And left back cover...
We need to aim higher than some of the players like Tonali and Porro that are being mentioned. ....we will turn into midtable fodder at this rate
I agree on Nico G being a better ball winner but he struggles recieving ball from the defenders and turning, that why he's not in the starting line up since Rodri has been back. Pep was doing one on one coaching with him at the start of the season to get him to do it Nico G. But he's not a natural at it.
Meanwhile Tonali and Anderson are naturals at it. Both receive the ball from the centre backs at Forest and Newcastle and both get out from pressure and play forward, to start attacks. To play 6 for Pep you need that skillset it's why Kalvin Phillips failed the first training session/ day here.
Fab has been spot on recently and we could do a lot worse than Tonali that’s for sure.
Maybe they still want Trafford which could help. Don’t think it will be easy to get players from Newcastle unless the player pushes for it themselves.
Maybe they still want Trafford which could help. Don’t think it will be easy to get players from Newcastle unless the player pushes for it themselves.
20 G/A from DM in about 100 games for Newcastle. Not bad at all. Plays a LOT deeper than you'd thinking looking from the outside.
Known for playmaking and duel-winning. Serie A winner with Milan, League Cup winner with Newcastle, has more trophies (both team and individual) in his cabinet than Rodri did when we signed him, loads of Premier League and Champions League experience, Geordies love him.
Plus, just from a nuts and bolts POV, he's comfortable with the ball at his feet, aggressive in the tackle, and energetic in the way Bernardo is. It'll take him a year to show his best like most of our midfield signings, but I think a year with Pep would do him loads of good.
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Matt Diablo
Well-Known Member
He's tenacious and proper player would be happy with him. Would help forwards get more time in better places
I'm very confused by this post...Tonali's biggest selling point is that he is the full package. He does Rodri's job when Bruno is fit and when Bruno's out he plays 8 and gets goals and assists.
I don't even know what part of the game "Pirlo with legs" is supposed to be missing? Pirlo pretty famously only had one problem - being slow.
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Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United) and Rodri (Manchester City) are both elite defensive/central midfielders in the Premier League, often compared for their roles as deep-lying playmakers with strong defensive qualities.
As of mid-March 2026 (current season 2025/2026), here's a stats comparison focused primarily on the **Premier League** (where both play), supplemented by overall season data where relevant. Note that Rodri has played fewer minutes this season (likely due to rotation, injury, or management decisions), while Tonali has been a near-ever-present starter for Newcastle.
### 2025/2026 Premier League Stats (approx. mid-season)
- **Playing Time**:
- Sandro Tonali: ~29 matches, ~2,045–2,046 minutes (25 starts)
- Rodri: ~18 matches, ~1,245–1,246 minutes (14 starts)
- **Goals**:
- Tonali: 0
- Rodri: 1
- **Assists**:
- Tonali: 2
- Rodri: 0
- **Overall Performance Ratings** (e.g., FotMob average rating):
- Tonali: ~7.03
- Rodri: ~7.49 (higher despite fewer goals/assists, reflecting his control and consistency)
- **Composite/Advanced Metrics** (from sites like One-vs-One, current season overall):
- 1v1 Score (overall performance index): Rodri 66.3 > Tonali 60.28
- Defensive 1v1 Rating: Rodri 78.46 > Tonali 76.59
- Rodri generally edges out in passing metrics (higher volume and accuracy expected, based on historical patterns and partial data), while Tonali may contribute slightly more in chance creation or progressive actions in some contexts.
### Broader Context / Historical Comparison (prior seasons, e.g., aggregated 2022/23–2024/25 per 90 mins)
From earlier analyses (pre-2025/26):
- Goals per 90: Tonali ~0.09 | Rodri ~0.14
- Assists per 90: Tonali ~0.17 | Rodri ~0.19
- Attempted passes per 90: Tonali ~40 | Rodri ~74
- Pass completion %: Tonali ~77.8% | Rodri ~91.6%
- Touches per 90: Tonali ~47 | Rodri ~81
- Progressive passes per 90: Tonali ~4 | Rodri ~7
- Tackles per 90: Similar (~1.5 each)
- Interceptions per 90: Similar (~0.8 each)
Rodri stands out for elite ball progression, passing range/accuracy, and positional discipline—often considered one of the world's best in his role (key to Man City's dominance). Tonali brings high energy, good ball-winning, and more dynamic/forward contributions (e.g., slightly higher chance involvement in some metrics this season), but with lower passing volume and efficiency.
Both remain highly valued (market values around €58–65M range in recent updates), and Rodri is frequently viewed as the superior all-around CDM currently, though Tonali has been excellent since his return and integration at Newcastle.
For the most granular per-90 or advanced metrics (xG, progressive carries, etc.), sites like FBref, Sofascore, or WhoScored offer direct player comparison tools. Rodri's metrics typically reflect greater influence in possession-dominant teams, while Tonali excels in more transitional setups.