It has been a decent start for Sandro Tonali at Newcastle United, following a high-profile summer move from AC Milan, but until his English improves and he feels comfortable in his new surroundings, patience will be needed.
There is a sense we are waiting for Tonali to settle and do not know how long it will take. Like all foreign imports to the Premier League, the 23-year-old must adapt to a new style of football, which is quicker, more physical and relentless than he was accustomed to in Serie A.
Tonali returns to Milan to face his former club on Tuesday evening, the Champions League draw pitching him against a club he reluctantly agreed to leave in the summer, only when it became clear the board wanted – and needed – to take the money Newcastle were offering.
At £53 million, rising to around £60 million with add-ons, Tonali is the second most expensive signing in Newcastle’s history and has already shown flashes of brilliance; the ability on the ball that persuaded manager Eddie Howe to make him a priority transfer target in the summer.
But there have been issues to resolve, with the Italian’s performance against Brighton and an apparent failure to understand his role in the side, exposing a language barrier problem.
In short, Tonali had failed to absorb all the necessary information from the coaching staff and seemed confused about his positional responsibilities in the centre of midfield, often playing too far forward, which left the defence exposed.
It was something that hurt the team in one of their worst collective performances for months and it was telling that Tonali did not start the home win over Brentford last weekend.
On the face of things, that was done in order to protect the 23-year-old after he picked up a slight injury problem while away on international duty last week. Keeping him on the bench on Saturday evening would also mean he was fresh for his return to face his former club in the San Siro.
However, Newcastle are also trying to work out the best way to communicate with the player admitting Tonali’s lack of English was a complication rather than just an inconvenience.
Howe had initially been reluctant to use an interpreter to convey his messages to Tonali as he believes that slows the player’s progress learning English.
But after the Brighton defeat, it became clear they needed someone to translate tactical messages, usually the day before a game, but possibly in the dressing room before a match too.
Tonali, who is taking intensive English lessons in his spare time, remains a player Newcastle are excited about. Howe, along with other senior figures within the club, believe he will become one of the most dominant central midfield players in the Premier League given time.
But they want to ease him into things and ensure he is comfortable, not just in a new working environment, but with what is being asked to do too.
He also needs to understand what Howe demands, while also building relationships with team-mates on and off the pitch. The more confident he gets with his English, the better he will be in English football.
Newcastle also need to get their midfield balance right. The Brazilian, Bruno Guimaraes, for so long the main creative spark in the middle of the pitch, looked more comfortable with the more defensively minded, Sean Longstaff, alongside him against Brentford.
Tonali has the potential to be one of the best midfield players in Europe and these are all the usual teething problems associated with a move to a new country and a new style of football.
The game against AC Milan has come at a good time for the youngster. Back in familiar surroundings, this is the perfect occasion to show exactly what his old supporters have lost and what his new ones get to enjoy.
