Howe Addresses Guimaraes and Tonali Partnership Challenge

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe indicated that “anything is possible” regarding the challenge of integrating Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali on the pitch simultaneously. Tonali, acquired for £55m from AC Milan in the summer of 2023, has participated in only four Premier League starting lineups since his return from a 10-month football suspension at the close of August. Conversely, Guimaraes, whose transfer cost £35m in January 2022, has served as a key player for the Magpies, having been absent for just seven matches since joining – none of which the team managed to win. Despite their distinct playing styles, both players operate in a comparable midfield zone, presenting a selection dilemma for Howe, particularly as Tonali has been a substitute for the last three fixtures. When questioned about the possibility of the two starting together for Newcastle’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Howe responded: “Anything is possible. Of course they can. They are two outstanding players.” He further stated: “It’s up to me to try and find a solution that works for both players and sees their qualities within the team.” Howe elaborated: “You can put any player into the team and any combination of players into the team, but it’s got to be to the team’s benefit. It has to be right for both players to showcase their attributes, so hopefully we can do that.” Tonali’s acquisition was intended to strengthen the squad for the club’s initial Champions League appearance in two decades last season, but his ban due to violations of betting rules cut short his inaugural season in England. Howe, who marked his 47th birthday on Friday, also commented: “He’s been good and has trained really well, especially this week. I’ve been really pleased with his contribution.” He continued: “He did really well when he came on at Nottingham Forest in a moment when that game was in the balance at 1-1. He played a big part in moving that game towards us, so he’s fighting for a place and is doing himself no harm with how he’s performing in training.”