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Big claims on Sandro Tonali from Man Utd legend Paul Scholes

by Olly Hawkins · 7 October 2025, 12:55
Big claims on Sandro Tonali from Man Utd legend Paul Scholes

Sandro Tonali hasn't had it all his own way since arriving at Newcastle United.

After arriving from AC Milan in the summer of 2023 in a £55m move, his first season on Tyneside was quickly cut short as a 10-month ban for a breach of betting rules was imposed, seeing him ruled out until August 2024.

Tonali has spoken openly about that dark period of his career and personal life, but his comeback, consistency and quality of performances over the past 12 months have been nothing short of sensational.

So much so, Paul Scholes has been making some massive claims about the Italian during the latest episode of The Overlap, with the Man Utd legend believing he is now THE best midfielder in the Premier League.

Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Arsenal's Declan Rice were all namechecked, but our midfield maestro came out on top in the eyes of the former Red Devils star.

Asked who he believes is the best midfielder in the top flight, Scholes explained why Tonali is his top choice:

"Right now? That's tough. I still don't class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.

"I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup. I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.

"It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn't surprised if he didn't do that again for another 18 months, would you? He's one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he's brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.

"Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment.

"I love Sandro Tonali as well. He's been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point."

An Arsenal fan butted in, suggesting Declan Rice was the standout midfielder, but Scholes believes Tonali is better than the England star:

"Yes, you're going to say Declan Rice but I think he's better than Rice. I really like Rice, don't get me wrong, I think he's got everything.

"Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary. He can do everything but I just don't think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they're both good players."




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