“Ungrateful wretch” Sandro Tonali slammed by Simon Jordan as Newcastle exit rumours grow

Love him or hate him, Simon Jordan always has something to say, and he doesn't often mince his words when doing so.

The talkSPORT pundit has often had plenty to say about Newcastle United since the 2021 takeover, and in fairness to the former Crystal Palace owner, when he's got things wrong, he's been man enough to walk back his comments and admit it.

If you want a blunt assessment of a situation, Simon Jordan is the man to deliver it, whether it's what you want to hear or not.

If Sandro Tonali happened to be listening to talkSPORT on Wednesday, he definitely wouldn't have liked what he heard.

'Ungrateful little wretch'

Jim White and Simon Jordan were discussing the pressure Eddie Howe is under and who could possibly take over if he were to leave, and in doing so, the Italian midfielder gets caught in the crossfire amid constant reports that he could be out the door this summer.

“Sure, they can get a more established manager in people's minds. I wouldn't feel excited by Roberto Mancini if I were Newcastle. Jose Mourinho, I think has had his day.

“A different voice can change things. Eddie has been there for four years. Danny (Murphy) will tell you what dressing rooms are like. They don't respond forever, irrespective of whether players turn over. There is a necessity to change things. I'm not entirely sure why they'd be compromised by PSR.

“They've just sold a £125million footballer. So whilst they've bought players, those have been capitalised over four years, and the value of (Alexander) Isak has been brought into this year. So I would imagine Newcastle may have some bandwidth to be able to spend money.

“But the problem they've got, and the problem they will continue to have, is they can't bridge the £300million gap to those that they want to be. And they can't keep their players. If they can't keep their players, and as much as Tonali is an ungrateful little wretch that should be staying longer because he caused them problems when he got banned with the betting staff, he will go.

“Other players will go. Anthony Gordon will probably go and, all of a sudden, before you get yourself an opportunity to build, you're rebuilding.”

Sandro Tonali hasn't said he wants to leave

It has to be reiterated that Sandro Tonali hasn't personally made anyone at Newcastle aware that he wants to leave; all of the talk is media-driven, albeit fuelled by his agent. There's been no indication that the player himself is unhappy and looking to move.

Jordan's point is valid, though. Do we really feel that Tonali has paid his debt to Newcastle yet after what he did? You'd think the least he could do is see out his contract, and sign another one so that we can get some money from his sale rather than lose him for free.

As a side note, we agree 100% with Simon Jordan's note on Jose Mourinho, but Roberto Mancini wouldn't be too bad a shout - if we had to replace Eddie Howe.