12 December 2023 , 20:10
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AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli insisted he knew nothing about the gambling problem that got Sandro Tonali banned.
Newcastle signed the Italian international midfielder for £55million in the summer from Milan. But two months later it emerged he was being investigated for breaking betting rules and his agent admitted he was a gambling addict.
At the end of October, Tonali was banned for 10 months, raising questions over what Milan knew before deciding to cash in on their star youngster. Speaking on Tuesday night, Pioli insisted Newcastle got a “great” deal, adding: “No I didn’t know anything about Sandro’s problem.
“He was polite, respected, and gave respect to others and was a sensible boy. Even if I think I have a close open relationship with a player I don’t only talk about football. But what they do outside, I don’t know everything about them.”
Asked if he has sympathy for Newcastle, having spent so much on a player who is now banned until the end of August, he added: “Well, at the moment they signed him it was a good deal, they signed a great deal and what happened after no one could have expected.
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“Tonali, I am very close to him. When he was with us he was a positive lad always showing good will and application. He has fallen within something delicate. We are close to him and I hope this experience can be useful for him. Can he bounce back? Absolutely yes, with regards to his tactical and physical ability."
Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in the summer for £55million (Getty Images)Pioli held a huddle but no training in the rain at St James’ Park on Tuesday and said: “We have one objective and that is to win the game. We know what we are expecting and the adversary. We have to make this our moment.”
Speaking in October after Tonali's ban was confirmed, Howe said: "I will have to see the whole time he will be unable to play and then work out a plan for him. It will be very very difficult for him. He will get a feeling of monotony where he is not playing and training is a difficult thing and I've seen it many times with players.
"We need to keep his mind fresh and his body able to execute what he needs to do big pitch stuff. It will be a challenge for us to make sure he comes out of the period, hopefully, a better player than the player who leaves us now.
"If he is banned for that time he is going to have difficult moments in that time frame. 10 months is a long time for a professional athlete not to do what he does. Especially on the scale of the pitch. In training you can get used to small-sided games."