07 July 2023 , 15:42
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Sandro Tonali has vowed to produce an “intense and amazing season” with Newcastle United in the Champions League.
The Italian international flew to Tyneside this week after his £55m switch from AC Milan, and admitted it was a move he couldn’t turn down. Tonali, 23, was expected to be a long servant for his home town club, but says the opportunity to join Newcastle’s rebuild was a great challenge to take on.
Eddie Howe met his new midfielder on Friday and his signing will ease the burden on Brazil playmaker Bruno Guimaraes. Tonali says he wants to be part of a team that ends the Geordies’ domestic trophy drought that dates back to 1955.
Tonali said: “It will be an intense and amazing season. It will be a great emotion to play here. My path with Milan ended in the Champions League semi final. In my first year we fought for the title and in my second we managed to win it. The third year we finished high in the rankings of the Champions League.
“Leaving Milan was one of my most difficult decisions as a footballer. Difficult, but it had to be done. The moment to do it had come and we decided to follow this path.
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"After overcoming this it will be a steep learning curve. The whole journey will be difficult but it is a great opportunity and something to take on.
“This (Newcastle) is a project in progress that needs to be carried on. When a trophy has not come for a long time when it comes it is nicer. Waiting for it to happen is tough but when a trophy arrives you fully enjoy it.”
Newcastle qualified for the Champion League and will learn their group stage opponents on August 31.
Tonali added: “Playing in the Champions League has got something special about it. It will be more complicated beyond doubt. The Champions League brings out the best in a player. It is intense and the top level of football.”
He has been compared to Italian great Andrea Pirlo, but says there is another hero he is more similar to.
He said: “Comparisons can hurt you when you are young. If I had to choose a person in terms of similarity I would choose (Gennaro) Gattusso.”
United boss Eddie Howe pushed hard for the deal to be done and Tonali said: “Eddie Howe was one of the people who wanted me. I am looking forward to starting this journey with him.
“Everyone has told me nice things about him. They have told me his background and what this year was like with him. I hope to start this job soon.
“The ambition of every player is to come to a team and win. The first thing is to never stop, and then to win. Try to win as soon as possible. “