Qudus SalihuFootball legend Thierry Henry delivered a scathing, yet brilliant, piece of analysis regarding the performance of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali following the team’s tense 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, a match that ultimately hinged on control and big-game presence. The French pundit argued that the Italian star was “nowhere to be found” when his team needed him most, and the Magpies faithful are in complete agreement. Henry’s main critique, voiced on [Insert name of TV channel/platform, e.g., CBS Sports], focused not on mistakes, but on Tonali’s surprising lack of impact and assertiveness in a high-stakes European encounter. “Against a team like Leverkusen, who rely on controlling the central spaces, you need your main man to step up and demand the ball,” Henry explained. “I saw Bruno [Guimarães] trying to fight, but Tonali? He was invisible. These are the moments you pay the money for.” Henry’s analysis pointed out a critical moment in the first half where Tonali was shrugged off by a Leverkusen player during the build-up to the opening goal—a moment where the Italian’s defensive tenacity failed him. Furthermore, the pundit noted Tonali’s passing was unusually conservative, suggesting a lack of confidence to take risks and truly dictate the play. The fans, who watched their side concede a late equalizer, quickly embraced Henry’s assessment. Social media was flooded with comments echoing the sentiment that Tonali, despite his quality, simply hasn’t delivered in the biggest fixtures this season. The core of the fans’ disappointment lies in the belief that Tonali, as a supposed £60 million marquee signing and a Champions League winner from AC Milan, should be the one to thrive in such pressurized environments. “Henry is spot on. We need him to be aggressive, to lead, to be present in big moments like yesterday,” one viral tweet read. The consensus is that Tonali needs to shake off his subdued form and fully embrace the leadership role expected of him, or the club’s ambitious European aspirations will continue to stall in the crucial midfield battleground.
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
Mustapha Sheidu