“Best in the league!” – Paul Scholes heaps praise on £55m Newcastle United star | OneFootball

Paul Scholes Sparks Debate Over Sandro Tonali’s Premier League Status

Tonali’s Stock Continues To Rise

Manchester United spent the summer of 2025 chasing midfield alternatives, only to miss out on Sandro Tonali who, according to Italian reports at the time, was available for around £87 million. Instead, United focused on Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton, neither of whom were attainable. Newcastle United fans barely noticed the links, but Paul Scholes has now reignited the conversation in explosive fashion.

When asked to name the best midfielder in the Premier League on The Overlap, Scholes said: “Right now? That’s tough,” before running through his reasoning. He praised Moises Caicedo’s defensive instincts but dismissed him as an “all-round midfield player.” He then shifted focus.

“I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.”

Scholes vs Rice Debate Heats Up

Once pushed on whether he genuinely believes that, Scholes doubled down. “Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice, but I think he’s better than Rice,” he said, adding that the Arsenal midfielder “takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.”

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To hear Scholes place Tonali above Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and even Alexis Mac Allister is seismic. These are high-value, trophy-winning midfielders yet Scholes appears convinced the Italian controls matches in a way his peers do not. He later added, “I love Tonali at Newcastle, I was trying to think of a player, Tonali, especially. He can run. I think he’s been brilliant.”

Newcastle’s Resolve Will Be Tested

Tonali’s statistics back up Scholes’ praise. In seven Premier League appearances this season he has delivered one assist, recorded an 85 percent pass completion rate and won 26 duels. That profile alone would tempt any Champions League club, let alone one still rebuilding its midfield.

TeamTalk report that United may revisit their interest in 2026, although sources suggest Baleba remains their priority. Newcastle, meanwhile, are already exploring a contract extension. As Dean Jones told TeamTalk: “I actually get the impression it might be possible that he even has discussions around an extended contract at some stage this season.”

Transfer Storm Incoming?

Newcastle have already shown with Alexander Isak’s forced sale to Liverpool that even strong league finishes and silverware do not guarantee retention. If United return to the prominence one day, temptation could creep in. For now, Tonali remains essential to Eddie Howe’s project, a midfielder praised not only for his numbers but for the way he moves games forward.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Newcastle supporter’s perspective, this is both flattering and nerve-wracking. Hearing Paul Scholes declare Tonali “better than Rice” is the kind of elite validation that rarely comes our way. It confirms what most of us have seen since he settled: he plays with an authority usually reserved for serial winners. He already has Serie A and the Carabao Cup under his belt, and he carries himself like someone expecting more.

However, this kind of praise usually comes with consequences. Manchester United sniffing around is not new, but when their legends start advertising our best players for them, it creates noise we do not need. The fear is always the same. We grow them, we love them and then the vultures circle. Still, this is not the Newcastle of old. We are not balancing the books like Mike Ashley’s era. If they want him, they will need to make a record-breaking offer, and even then, Tonali feels invested in this project.

Let Scholes talk. Let United dream. Sandro Tonali wears black and white, and if anything, this only proves we are finally shopping in the elite aisle.