SANDRO TONALI MAKES ISAK POINT WHILE REFLECTING ON NEWCASTLE CAREER PLANS
Newcastle's Sandro Tonali admits he takes his future "year for year," refusing to commit long-term despite his 2029 contract. The midfielder cited Alexander Isak's exit as proof that things can change in football.
Tonali Shows Support for Isak Amid Future Speculation - COURTESY/PHOTO
After it was revealed that he had signed a contract extension with Newcastle back in 2023, Sandro Tonali said that he is considering his future with the team season by season.
Although the midfield star maintained that he is content on Tyneside, he cited Alexander Isak's summer transfer to Liverpool as proof that things may change. The Italy international is now committed to St James' Park until the summer of 2029, while the Magpies maintain the option to lengthen the term by an additional year.
To further secure his future on Tyneside, Eddie Howe revealed two weeks ago that he would love to sign Tonali to fresh terms at Newcastle. Tonali has been linked to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and a return to Serie A with Juventus.
However, Tonali said he is not thinking so far into the future at the moment and is instead focusing on the present when asked if he saw his long-term future at the club after Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
After accepting the man of the match award, he said, "This is a tricky question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year."
"I do not want to announce that I want to stay here for ten years and then leave in two, three, four, or five years. Year after year, I want to think, simply for myself. It is football. Alex [Isak] and I had a difficult summer last year, but this is football.
"If you have a choice for your life, you must consider every possibility for a different team. I am content here right now, but I do not want to say, "Yes, I want to stay here for ten years." Regarding another team, I have no thoughts.
Tonali penned a new agreement at Newcastle following his 10-month suspension from football for breaking betting regulations.
The 25-year-old has rewarded the Magpies' faith by becoming one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, which was a risk they took at the time.
"I am pleased with it. "I do not know why everyone talked about it last week, but this extension occurred three years ago after the ban," he continued.
It was hard to stay off the field for [my fault], for my issue, and to [take] all the money from this team, so I signed a one-year contract when I was banned and off the field.
The club talked to me, talked with my agent, and we signed for another year. But it’s not about the money or just adding another year. I have faith in this team, and this team has faith in me. We collaborated.
But for me, every day feels the same here. Every day I strive for a win in every game. I work for everyone in Newcastle, for my family, and really for every person here.
MADRID MIDFIELDER FEDE VALVERDE TO HAVE GROIN INJURY EXAMINED ON THURSDAY
Real Madrid's Fede Valverde is set for tests on a groin injury suffered against Liverpool. The midfielder could be sidelined for weeks, a major blow ahead of a crucial run of five consecutive away games.
Real Madrid learn extent of Fede Valverde injury after Liverpool - COURTESY/PHOTO
Fede Valverde, a midfielder for Real Madrid, is set to undergo tests to ascertain the severity of the groin injury he sustained during Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Liverpool. Although the team will release an injury report later today, Valverde had to leave the field and appears to have suffered an injury that could keep him out for several weeks.
Since Carvajal is also sidelined due to a knee injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the clear favourite to start at right-back in his place. Real Madrid currently has no contenders for that position, although Alexander-Arnold recently returned and will probably be rusty.
With five straight away games against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, Olympiakos, Girona, and Athletic Bilbao, Los Blancos have a challenging schedule. Even while that opposition is doable, Real Madrid will have a difficult time winning all five away games, especially if Valverde is forced to miss them all.
ERIC GARCIA ADDS TO BARCA INJURY CONCERNS WITH NOSE FRACTURE
Barcelona's defensive crisis deepens as Eric Garcia is ruled out of the Celta Vigo clash with a broken nose. Hansi Flick may have only two fit centre-backs for the trip to Balaidos.
Eric Garcia's broken nose - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Eric Garcia will miss Sunday's La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo due to a fractured nose, meaning Hansi Flick will be without another player.
Garcia sustained the injury late in Barcelona's Champions League match against Club Brugge, which ended in a 3–3 draw. After the game, he claimed to have been brought to the hospital because he believed he had broken his nose.
According to reporter Xavi Hernandez Navarro, Flick will probably have to start Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi as his central defenders because Eric will not be able to recover in time for Sunday's game.
Since Andreas Christensen missed the trip to Club Brugge, his fitness is once again in question; thus, it looks like the two players are Barca's only healthy centre halves.
Despite his recent physical problems, Cubarsi was a late substitute in Belgium, taking Eric's place in the closing seconds of the game.
After nine games without a clean sheet, Barcelona is somewhat clouded, and the defence is under intense scrutiny when they travel to Celta on Sunday.