Just In: Dan Ashworth’s reply to six key Sandro Tonali questions regarding Newcastle United player’s ban

Sporting director for Newcastle United Dan Ashworth spoke out on the suspension of Sandro Tonali
Following Eddie Howe’s customary Friday morning press conference, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, emerged to field inquiries regarding Sandro Tonali’s worldwide ban.

During a 47-minute press conference, numerous inquiries concerning Ashworth’s immediate and long-term prospects were raised. The key questions’ responses are provided below.

 

 

Will Sandro Tonali’s pay be reduced as he serves a 10-month worldwide ban?

“Any player’s contract situation is private and confidential,” Dan Ashworth retorted. All I can say is that Sandro has been incredibly helpful and cooperative ever since this has transpired.

According to Ashworth, Newcastle’s current priority is ensuring that Tonali is in the best possible position upon his return from suspension in late August 2024. “Sandro is a top player and a big signing, we will miss him,” the 52-year-old stated.

Ashworth responded as follows when asked if Tonali will sign a replacement or cover player during the upcoming January trade window: “So, we always look two windows in advance so we will have planned for what we will try to do to strengthen the team in the summer of 2024.”

“We don’t mind moving that ahead in January if the proper opportunities arise. When we had the chance, we brought that up with Anthony Gordon in January of last year, and we did that. Not a single thing has changed. Our constant goal is to maintain that adaptability. We have informed the recruitment team that injuries, suspensions, and player departures are all possible outcomes.

Consequently, nothing has changed and we still need to be agile. It goes without saying that we are aware Sandro will miss the remainder of the season. However, we have a good amount of midfield players as well as guys who can play a variety of positions. One of the team’s strengths is demonstrated by the victory against Manchester United the other night. We’re hoping that despite a few injuries, they’re healed and prepared for January.

“We have several options for responding to the query. It might not be a perfect substitute for Sandro. It may be a player with versatility or the ability to play several positions. It’s possible that between now and January, young Lewis Miley gains more playing time and prominence. We may search a different region of the field. But losing Sandro is undoubtedly a blow. He was a major addition to the team in a crucial area of the field.

“He was going to be one of our most influential players so we have to do everything in our power to make sure the squad is as competitive as possible going into the second half of the season.”

Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves, who plays for a team connected to the PIF, has been mentioned as a possible alternative. When the Frenchman moved the other way and Ashworth was asked if there was anything preventing Newcastle from creating a pathway similar to the Allan Saint-Maximin agreement, he replied, “At this time, no… There is nothing to stop it, according to the laws and regulations in place. Presently.

“But there are, there is a potential that the various different organisations will look at things across related parties and what you can do to acquire players at a fair market value, which have already in place for a quite a while.”