Best since Isak: Howe struck gold signing “big game player” for Newcastle

da dobrowin： Newcastle currently sit 6th in the Premier League, having played 29 matches so far, earning 50 points. The Magpies have a game in hand over the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, who currently sit fifth and fourth in the division at this stage.

da brdice： After their EFL Cup victory, Eddie Howe will be looking for his side to finish the season strong, aiming for a UEFA Champions League qualification spot, as they look to return to the competition having not qualified last season, which would aid their plans to add more quality to the squad in the summer.

But securing Champions League football won’t only be important for attracting new players to the club, but also important to keeping their best players and building on top of their success this season, winning their first trophy together.

Alexander Isak's form for Newcastle

Newcastle signed Swedish striker Alexander Isak back in 2022 for a club-record fee of around £63m. Since then, the 25-year-old talisman has made 101 appearances for the Magpies, netting 59 times, providing nine assists and totaling 7,332 minutes played.

Isak is now valued at €100.00m (£85m) according to Transfermarkt, but reports have stated Newcastle will “demand” £150m to allow their star striker to depart in the summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool circling like sharks.

Whilst it seems Isak is very happy at the club, Newcastle will want to qualify for Champions League football to avoid any outside temptation for the striker to leave the club and one man who will be key to their top four aspirations is perhaps their best signing since Isak.

Newcastle's big game player

Newcastle signed Sandro Tonali from AC Milan in the 2023/24 summer transfer window, with the Italian joining the club for a fee of around £55m. The 24-year-old midfielder only managed 12 appearances in his debut season, spending the majority of the campaign out through suspension.

However, Tonali has been a revelation under Howe this season, moving from the number eight/box to box midfield position into the number six, playing as a more defensive midfielder, often orchestrating play from deeper in the build-up.

Sandro Tonali (23/24) vs Sandro Tonali (24/25) comparison

Stats (per 90 mins)

23/24

24/25

Goals + Assists

0.13

0.25

Progressive Carries

2.39

1.44

Progressive Passes

3.73

4.11

Pass Completion %

82.2%

82.5%

Passes into Final Third

2.69

3.56

Key Passes

1.19

0.54

Tackles

1.19

2.03

Blocks

0.60

1.19

Interceptions

0.53

1.10

Ball Recoveries

3.73

6.34

Stats taken from FBref

When you compare Tonali’s metrics from the 2023/24 season (692 minutes played) and the 2024/25 season so far (2,499 minutes played), you can see the improvement he has made, especially with his defensive contribution, playing as that number six and almost doubling his ball recoveries per 90.

Whilst his key passes and progressive carries have fallen, this change in role has also unleashed Bruno Guimaraes in a number eight position, something that has given Howe a brilliant balance in the midfield.

The Italian midfield maestro, once labeled a “big game player” by Jacek Kulig, has been superb this season, proving he is worth the fee spent to bring him to the club back in 2023. Tonali has made a case for being arguably Newcastle’s best signing since Isak.