Tonali on Serie A return, Gattuso idol and being ‘best Premier League midfielder’ | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali reveals why he would always consider a return to Serie A even if ‘not right now,’ his reaction to being called the best midfielder in the Premier League, and working with idol Gennaro Gattuso.

The Azzurri visit Estonia in Tallinn on Saturday evening, then host Israel at the Stadio Friuli on Tuesday as part of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

They are still playing catch-up after the opening 3-0 defeat in Norway and dismissal of Luciano Spalletti, replaced by Rino Gattuso.

“We are enjoying ourselves in training, as Gattuso makes us work hard, but have fun too, which is important,” Tonali told Vivo Azzurro.

“After Norway, every game has become even more important, so we know how much is at stake and we’re ready to give our all every time.”

Tonali loving work with idol Gattuso

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Sandro Tonali of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

There is something special about being coached by someone who won the 2006 World Cup, especially after Italy missed out on the last two editions.

“We found someone who loves to work hard and sweat for the shirt. The intensity levels are so high in training, it almost feels like a match.

“He passed on the desire to train hard and become super-competitive again. In the past, we’d get lost so easily, problems arose at the first sign of trouble. Now we’re all back to hitting hard.

“His level of focus and concentration is so high in training, that he makes sure you feel the same way too.”

It is no secret that while he was compared to Andrea Pirlo in his youth, Tonali really had Gattuso as his football idol.

“I was given a mug with Gattuso on it and I had breakfast with that for four or five years. It got smashed, which was disastrous, but I managed to piece it back together, and I still have it,” revealed the ex-Milan man.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James’ Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Tonali became the biggest ever sale for Milan when making the move to Newcastle United, but does he think about a return to Serie A?

“It’s difficult to say, you never can know what you might want to do or what could happen. I always say yes, because as an Italian, you always have a possibility even if it’s 1 per cent of coming back to Serie A.

“Maybe not right now, as I am in a moment where I’ve found my way and it’s all going well. I’d never close the door to Serie A because it is my country, and the league is getting better all the time. The teams are stronger and you see the technical level of Serie A rising.”

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James’ Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Paul Scholes recently said that Tonali was the best midfielder in the Premier League.

“I saw that, (Tottenham and Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo) Vicario told me straight away. When you receive compliments like that from such great former players, it is very pleasing, you are almost taken by surprise. It’s lovely.”

Is there a game that Tonali would like to play all over again?

“The World Cup play-off with North Macedonia, everything went wrong. We had 30 shots on goal and allowed one, we lost 1-0. It felt like the ball weighed 50kg.”