Sandro Tonali’s arrival in Tyneside was the statement signing of the summer in 2023, but a lengthy ban for the Italian saw him unable to show his true abilities.

The intent of the transfer was clear, his arrival from Milan indicated the final cog in the midfield that oversaw Newcastle’s long-awaited return to the Champions League, however the ban from all footballing activity received by Tonali put a premature halt to the midfielder’s impact in his maiden campaign.

A return to the squad for the midfielder will very much feel like a new signing, with hopes he can replicate his debut last season when he announced himself within six minutes of his debut with a goal against Aston Villa, his return will also have a profound impact on the approach to transfers this summer.

 

READ MORE: Newcastle United start transfer window with £150m boost and new commercial deal

The 24-year-old’s return may mean minutes drop elsewhere, it may too facilitate a chain of transfers that sees a link-up ala Joelinton and Anthony Gordon on the opposite flank. Some things though are certain, especially if Newcastle can keep hold of their key men this summer. Here are three impacts of the return of Tonali.

If Tonali is to come straight back into the starting line-up, it would of course see the minutes of those who have made up the midfield in his absence dip. Lewis Miley emerged as a real talent amidst the woeful season of injuries suffered, while only three Newcastle players were on the pitch for more minutes than Sean Longstaff’s 3123.

This is before Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock are even considered, it’s almost unbelievable how much depth Newcastle have in the centre of the park when you consider how threadbare the squad felt over the last season.

Longstaff in particular has proven his dependability and is seemingly among Howe’s favourites, proving perhaps an unsung hero at times amongst the Geordie faithful. The Englishman however has been linked with a move away, perhaps mainly to comply with PSR regulations as the sale of an academy player would equal ‘pure profit’ on the balance sheet, but also due to a prospective lack of action if Tonali is to eat at a large chunk of his minutes.