Sandro Tonali

[HelloCity]

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.

Is this AI?

 

[waspish]

Is this AI?

Yeah they get it of websites

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

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.

But aren't the media telling us that Pep is leaving next week? They will be right one day.

 

[City_Sean]

View attachment 186712

Really fucking hope not.

Not an elite midfielder and doesn't move the dial at all in terms of quality.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Rodri, Tonali, Anderson would be a cracking midfield.

 

[Dax777]

Rodri, Tonali, Anderson would be a cracking midfield.

Id rather Nico O than Tonali. And Nico G is just as good. And barely gets any time as is.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

Id rather Nico O than Tonali. And Nico G is just as good. And barely gets any time as is.

If Nico G was playing for Newcastle we'd be sniffing around him right now. Not sure why he's not playing.

 

[Ajm1985]

Wasn't as sold on Tonali when he was in Serie A but like what I've seen for Newcastle. Good on the ball, bit of a ****

 

[Gabriel]

Good on the ball but was struck by how easily Barcelona's midfielders were able to run through him.

 

[bell_mcfc]

Wasn't as sold on Tonali when he was in Serie A but like what I've seen for Newcastle. Good on the ball, bit of a ****

Perfect we need that when Bernie leaves.

 

[richards30]

Would be fully on board with signing Tonali!

 

[eyalluvitt]

If only we had an Eyetie to tap him up

 

[Tugay One Cup]

View attachment 186712

His knee reminded me of a Masayoshi Takanaka album cover.

 

[dadnlad]

i'll beleive it when betting scandle brought up then were close

 

[ALDN_Ko]

Good on the ball but was struck by how easily Barcelona's midfielders were able to run through him.

He’s not a 6 like I said, he and Bruno G do a job but neither are 6s. It also doesn’t help that Joelinton and Rogers are pony

 

[Gabriel]

He’s not a 6 like I said, he and Bruno G do a job but neither are 6s. It also doesn’t help that Joelinton and Rogers are pony

Like so many players in England these days, more brawn than brain, and by the time March roles round they already look physically spent and are chasing shadows when faced with top European teams.

 

[pudge]

If Nico G was playing for Newcastle we'd be sniffing around him right now. Not sure why he's not playing.

We wouldn't though, we'd all be a little more likely to point out how he takes fifty touches and puts himself under pressure a lot more than folk do now because he plays for us

 

[simon23]

Is Tonali better than what we presently have....Im not sure he is

Not better than Rodri and no better than Nico G....

He aint a 10 so there is no comparrison with either Foden or Cherki

He is better than Reijnders but it is highly likely that he will still be here (unforunately) so our midfield becomes overstocked again....

Better than Kovacic when he played.....he was a bit meh! but so is Tonali....

Very little excitement in the signing of another player from an average premiership team where he has stood out but that aint hard when playing in a midfield with Joel Linton!

 

[King Jay]

Nico G needs 4-5 touches before playing the obvious pass. Tonali is definitely better. There‘s a reason Rodri is the absolute starter since coming back. Also Nico and Tonali ain’t even the same type of players. In terms of passing they are a league apart. Tonali has an insane passing range

 

[Mad 4 It]

Is Tonali better than what we presently have....Im not sure he is

Not better than Rodri and no better than Nico G....

He aint a 10 so there is no comparrison with either Foden or Cherki

He is better than Reijnders but it is highly likely that he will still be here (unforunately) so our midfield becomes overstocked again....

Better than Kovacic when he played.....he was a bit meh! but so is Tonali....

Very little excitement in the signing of another player from an average premiership team where he has stood out but that aint hard when playing in a midfield with Joel Linton!

I don’t get the love in on this guy all the same noises we heard with Phillips and look how that turned out