He was the jewel in another wise pragmatic summer transfer window; a player who would instantly elevate the quality of manager Eddie Howe’s first choice XI. His versatility, the ability to play as a No 6 or a No 8, offered all sorts of tantalising options for the team. He would take the pressure of star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, he would be a new pivot in a fluid midfield system that would allow Newcastle to evolve the way they played. Newcastle would have two technically adept midfield playmakers, who could take the ball under pressure and still get the team up the pitch. As well as a new set piece weapon. He fitted their needs perfectly.
When Newcastle signed the Italy international for around £60 million back in July, there was much excitement. Tonali was on a shortlist of potential midfield targets last summer, but nobody seriously believed they would be able to get him.
Within weeks, the excitement had turned to despair. News of an investigation into his gambling was launched by the Italian Football Federation and a 10-month, worldwide ban followed as the player’s agent admitted his client was an addict.
Newcastle stood by the player. The fans did too. Members of Newcastle’s hierarchy, having spoken privately to Paolo Maldini, the AC Milan legend who had been sacked as sporting director before the Tonali transfer, had to believe the Italian club’s insistence they also had no idea about his problem or the investigation by the authorities.
But in private, Newcastle were devastated. A transfer that had seemed too good to be true in July had become just that by October. It meant Newcastle would have to rely on the same midfield that had so obviously over-achieved in the previous campaign. The size of the blow cannot be underestimated.
A dodgy handball decision and exit from Europe
The 4-1 win over Paris St-Germain in Newcastle’s first Champions League game for 20 years was magical. It will go down as one of the greatest nights in the club’s history. Newcastle dominated the game and thrashed one of the European elite in front of a deliriously besotted home crowd. It appeared to confirm Newcastle belonged at the very highest level of European football.
That, though, was as good as it got. As injuries began to bite, Newcastle lost successive games against Borussia Dortmund (results painted in a very different light by the German club reaching the final this month).
They travelled to Paris in hope rather than expectation. Newcastle, though, took the lead through Alexander Isak and then delivered one of the bravest rearguard actions of the year. With nobody on the bench to relieve the pressure, Newcastle’s players were exhausted but they rode their luck, goalkeeper Nick Pope was superb and headed into the final minutes of added time all but assured of at least third place in the group and Europa League qualification.
However, under immense pressure from the home crowd, the match officials buckled and produced one of the worst VAR decisions of the campaign. The ball had bounced up inside the area as Tino Livramento ran, brushing his elbow.