Sandro Tonali is not a Newcastle United player, yet, but the Italy international is already making an impact. Regular starters in the middle of the park know they need to up their game once more to keep their place in the side, recognising that this is a signing who will help take the Magpies to the next level.
Tonali, after all, set up nine goals for AC Milan last season, which was more than any of Newcastle's current midfielders. In fact, only Joe Willock came closest with six assists in 2022/23. Willock, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton set up 17 goals combined last season, which is a decent return, but Newcastle have to keep evolving to keep pace.
Having another option to unlock a stubborn defence, particularly at home, will be important when more and more sides sit off at St James' Park. That is what teams such as Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Leicester City did last season and the trio went home with a point even though Newcastle dominated each of those games and had plenty of chances.
