Even though Newcastle’s league campaign may have gotten off to a rough start with the midfield trio of Joelinton, Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes winning just one of the four games they started together, it would be naive to believe that any other combination would comprise Howe’s ideal midfield three.
Before Joelinton missed time due to injury, United began the season with this lineup, however three points from four games is far from ideal. The defeats came against Manchester City on the road, Liverpool, who Darwin Nunez defeated in the dying seconds, and Brighton, who had already secured nine of their opening twelve points.
The midfielder’s return to the team will feel very much like a new addition, and there’s a good chance he can repeat his season-opening goal against Aston Villa, which made him known six minutes after making his debut. His return will also have a big influence on how this summer’s transfers are handled.
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.
Howe finally getting first choice midfield
It would be foolish to think that any other combination would constitute Howe’s ideal midfield three, even if Newcastle arguably got off to a bad start to their league campaign with the midfield trio of Joelinton, Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes winning only one of the four games they started together.
Although three points from four games is far from ideal, United started the season with this lineup before Joelinton missed time due to injury. The losses came against Brighton, who had already earned nine of their first twelve points, Manchester City on the road, and Liverpool, who were defeated by Darwin Nunez in the closing moments.
Howe is unlikely to have reservations about the potential that sticking with this formula could bring once things begin to tick, with Joelinton and Anthony Gordon proving a pivotal pair on the left, who Tonali will be feeding off the right remains to be seen…
The summer transfer plan
Gordon’s output on the left seems a far cry from his opposing wing, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy – though dependable Premier League players – are a level or two behind the England international.
Yankuba Minteh has drawn attention during his loan stint at Feyenoord, but Howe faces a difficult decision regarding the Gambian winger, raising doubts about the player’s future at Newcastle. Due to a combination of circumstances, the majority of the fan base believes that a right winger is the position that has to be targeted this summer. Tonali might also gain by having a player who enjoys getting in behind.
Bryan Mbeumo has been heavily connected in the past month and appears to be a good match for the starting xi as well as the project overall. The 24-year-old, who has contributed nine goals and six assists for Brentford’s lower half this season, meets the description of the kind of.
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