Losing the Italy international is a blow for Eddie Howe's side, given that the club valued him at such a high fee, but it is now down to the recruitment team to find their next star.
One player who has emerged on the club's radar is Freiburg central midfielder Johan Manzambi, who is currently competing at the World Cup with Switzerland.
The Magpies have been in talks with the Bundesliga side about a potential deal for the Swiss star, and they are expected to make a formal offer for his services in the coming weeks.
A move for the Switzerland international, however, does not mean that the club have replaced Tonali, because they are different types of midfielders.
Why Johan Manzambi is not a replacement for Sandro Tonali
Manzambi should not be considered a replacement for the Italian central midfielder ahead of next season, as he offers different qualities in the middle of the park.
The 20-year-old youngster caught the eye with Freiburg in the Bundesliga last season as a central midfielder who can burst forward to support the attack with goals and assists.
He racked up five goals and four assists in 27 appearances in the German top-flight for his club, showing that he can provide a threat in the final third on a regular basis.
25/26 season
Manzambi (BL)
Tonali (PL)
|
Appearances
|
27
|
35
|
|
Goals
|
5
|
|
|
Big chances missed
|
5
|
1
|
|
xA
|
5.13
|
2.89
|
|
Assists
|
4
|
2
|
|
Successful dribbles per game
|
1.2
|
0.5
|
Tonali, for all of his qualities, was not a regular provider of goals or assists in midfield during his time with Newcastle, as evidenced by a return of two goal contributions in 35 appearances in the Premier League last term.
Manzambi, therefore, should not be viewed as the replacement for the Italy international and, instead, should be viewed as a seperate, exciting, addition to add more variety and depth to Howe's squad for next season.
Newcastle may not need the Swiss star to be a like-for-like replacement for the former AC Milan star, because they already have a young talent who can take up Tonali's role in the team.
Newcastle United already have a bigger talent than Johan Manzambi
Not only do the Magpies already have their next version of the Italian star in the making, but they also have another 20-year-old who is an even bigger talent than Manzambi.
Pundit Pat Nevin once claimed that "(Lewis) Miley looks like the next young English superstar to make a breakthrough", and Newcastle need to ensure that they nurture his development in the right way.
After having to fill in at right-back on several occasions last season, the 20-year-old talent must be utilised in central midfield as a replacement for Tonali as a duel-winning box-to-box star.
25/26 Premier League
Miley
Tonali
|
Appearances
|
23
|
35
|
|
Goals
|
1
|
|
|
Assists
|
4
|
2
|
|
Tackles + interceptions per game
|
2.2
|
1.9
|
|
Dribbled past per game
|
0.5x
|
0.7x
|
|
Ground duel success rate
|
61%
|
56%
|
|
Aerial duel success rate
|
73%
|
50%
|
Despite playing fewer matches and being deployed out of position at times, Miley ended the 2025/26 Premier League with more impressive statistics than Tonali, both in and out of possession.
The England U21 international is a particularly eye-catching young talent because he has the ability to make an impact defensively and offensively, offering physical and technical qualities as a central midfielder.
Although he only turned 20 in May, Miley has already racked up 80 first-team appearances for the Magpies. Manzambi, meanwhile, turned 20 last October and has only played 58 club games at senior level for Freiburg.
Miley, therefore, has more senior experience under his belt than the Swiss star and made his breakthrough at a younger age, showing that he was deemed as an even bigger talent when he was younger.
He should also be considered to be a bigger talent than the Switzerland international because of how complete he is as a central midfielder at the age of 20.
In their respective leagues last term, Miley provided as many assists as Manzambi, whilst being dribbled past less frequently and winning a much higher percentage of both his ground and aerial duels.
He also lost possession less frequently, 6.9 times per game, than the Freiburg star did, 11.8 times per match, which shows that he is more composed and reliable on the ball, in spite of his inexperience.
Overall, Newcastle may already have a bigger talent on their hands than Manzambi and the perfect replacement for Tonali, but it is down to Howe to provide him with enough opportunities to nail down a spot in the starting line-up on a regular basis.
3 weeks ago
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