Newcastle fans revelled in Sandro Tonali’s exit after £100m man was hooked… and his replacement Nico Gonzalez looks like twice the player at half the price, writes CRAIG HOPE
The cheer when Sandro Tonali’s number was shown 15 minutes from time was just about as loud and hearty as those which had not long greeted Newcastle’s two goals.
‘You should have stayed at a big club’ goaded the Toon Army. The Italian may well wonder what he has stumbled into at Tottenham, and his new employers would be right to wonder when exactly he is going to start looking like a £100million footballer.
His replacement at Newcastle, £50m Nico Gonzalez, looked twice the player at half the price here. It was his cross-field ball that served as the source for Newcastle’s opening goal, scored by Anthony Elanga.
Gonzalez made way a few minutes before Tonali, the Newcastle debutant afforded a rest on the back of a disciplined and diligent performance. When Tonali was then substituted, it was simply because his team needed better.
Sandro Tonali shakes hands with his manager Roberto de Zerbi after being taken off
Nico Gonzalez, signed from Manchester City, outshone Tonali during Newcastle’s 2-0 win
In the first 15 minutes, he found more Newcastle shirts than he did towards the end of last season, when it was clear his head was elsewhere. When, though, will it arrive in North London? Of just 36 passes, seven of Tonali’s went astray. Compare that to Gonzalez and 48 of 51 completed.
But Newcastle’s new midfielder was not the only one to impress. Here, we pick through what was a deserved away victory…
ONE EL OF A START
That’s two goals from two matches for Elanga. To think, he did not score at all in the Premier League in his debut season. Last August, he ran through on goal on the opening day against Aston Villa after 30 seconds and fluffed his big chance. It set the tone for a disappointing campaign.
This time, on the back of a good World Cup with Sweden, he is playing like the £55m signing Newcastle were convinced would solve their right-wing problem 12 months ago. Better late than never.
Antonin Kinsky and the Spurs defence could only watch as Anthony Elanga’s strike went in
JAISSLE, WE CAN BOOGIE…
They say that dogs can end up reflecting their owners. Well, Jason Tindall may be gone, but in head coach Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle have a new Mad Dog – and his team have the same bark and bite on the pitch.
The German is not one for staying on the leash within his technical zone, but the snarl and energy that sees him take off down the touchline has, so far, inspired his players.
Jaissle is a demonstrative presence and supporters like that, evidenced by them serenading him on full-time with a chorus of, ‘Jaissle, we can boogie’. His Newcastle players are certainly dancing to his tune.
WIS KID YOANE
Yoane Wissa had a nightmare first season on Tyneside. He was injured for the first half and unfit for the second. Now, he is Newcastle’s No.9 and, while not with the armband, he is their on-field leader.
Insiders believe Wissa could be the team’s difference-maker this term, given he scored 19 in the season before last for Brentford. It’s a cliche, but he feels like a new signing.
Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring his side’s second goal and insiders believe he could be a difference-maker for Newcastle this season
DED GOOD…
On the subject of signings, right back Amar Dedic has been Newcastle’s best player so far this season, albeit on the back of three matches. But, at £30m, the Bosnian looks a bargain. He is quick, aggressive and has quality on the ball. This was his third assist when teeing up Elanga.
ONE MORE NEEDED…
Newcastle started well. They had territory and possession. They also had no shots on target until their opener in the 62nd minute. There is a reason the club are still active in deals to bring in forwards Matias Fernandez-Pardo, of Lille, and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss. Sources say both will not be signed, but there is hope that one can be done.
Because over the course of a season, you suspect, Newcastle still do not have enough in attack. They have not replaced the goals of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes or, to go back 12 months further, Alexander Isak.
That is the longer-term worry for Jaissle, because his team is executing his instruction when it comes to intensity and front-foot urgency. The manager, then, is pushing for the player he knows they still need, if those foundations are to take his side to the place they deserve.
