
<p>Newcastle United embarked on a new chapter last summer with the acquisition of Sandro Tonali.</p>



<p>Yet the player’s involvement in a betting controversy caused a major blow for both his team and himself a few months after he signed. </p>



<p>After withdrawing from Italy’s squad in this month’s FIFA international break, the 23-year-old told police he had <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-ponders-lawsuit-against-milan-over-tonali-transfer-20231025-WST-464683.html">wagered on games while playing in Serie A.</a></p>



<p>Tonali was available to play on Wednesday as Eddie Howe’s team fell to Borussia Dortmund in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet/">UEFA Champions League</a>. Still, he played just 26 minutes off the bench in what would be his last game on the pitch in the 2023-24 campaign.</p>



<h2>Tonali to miss Euro 2024 and early EPL season</h2>



<p>Tonali accepted a plea deal that would keep him out of the game for the rest of the season. The head of the Italian FA, Gabriele Gravina, confirmed that a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sandro-tonali-expects-10-month-ban-for-betting-with-milan-20231024-WST-464420.html">10-month suspension</a> with eight months of rehabilitation had been agreed upon and thanked Tonali for his participation during the process.</p>



<p>In order to treat his gambling addiction, an additional fine of $13,200 came his way. He also must follow a rehabilitation plan for at least six months. Due to claims that the midfielder bet on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> games while still a member of the team, he was expecting a longer sentence initially.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231028_WST_465582_kante-1200x670.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-465705" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/kante-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/kante-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/kante-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/kante.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>N’Golo Kante is also on Newcastle United’s January shopping list</figcaption></figure>



<p>But it’s thought that a shortened term was made possible by his desire to seek treatment for what his agent refers to as a ‘<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sandro-tonali-has-an-addiction-to-gambling-says-players-agent-20231017-WST-462506.html">gambling addiction</a>’ and his admission of guilt. He reportedly refrained from betting on the Rossoneri to lose games.</p>



<p>The Italian midfielder’s ban is scheduled to last until late August of the following year, during which time it is anticipated that he will be able to train with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a>. He will be absent from both <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024</a> and the first weeks of the 2024-25 Premier League season.</p>



<h2>Newcastle look to two former Premier League stars</h2>



<p>The news of Tonali’s absence is a significant setback for Newcastle’s ambitions. This impacts their chances of securing silverware and making a deep run in the UEFA Champions League. As a result, the English club must swiftly revise their plans for the upcoming January transfer window.</p>



<p>The Magpies are reportedly already compiling a list of backup plans. Tonali’s absence would create a big hole. FFP constraints are the reason Newcastle cannot afford to replace Tonali permanently in January.</p>



<p>The Italian’s suspension means that the Magpies may have to dip into the market. Consequently, Eddie Howe’s team is contemplating a loan move for Ruben Neves, according to reports from <a href="https://talksport.com/football/1617977/newcastle-saudi-arabia-sandro-tonali-ruben-neves-ngolo-kante-transfer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">talkSPORT</a>. </p>



<p>Neves joined the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> side Al-Hilal during the summer. This ended his six seasons at Wolves, in which he made 253 appearances at Molineux.</p>



<p>The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia owns four Saudi Pro League teams, including Al-Hilal. The same organization also owns a controlling share in Newcastle. Meanwhile, as he plays for PIF-owned Al-Ittihad, N’Golo Kante is another player who caught their attention.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Power Sport Images : IMAGO / Focus Images</p>


Newcastle line up two ex-EPL stars to replace Sandro Tonali

In search of a Sandro Tonali replacement, Newcastle are looking at two former Premier League stars in Saudi Arabia


<p>A pair of <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea </a>stars now seem like the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> is out of reach. Both have injuries that will not allow them to return to full fitness for the competition. </p>



<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France </a>international <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2021/05/26/ngolo-kante-the-quiet-and-unassuming-superstar/">N’Golo Kante</a> will miss the upcoming World Cup due to a hamstring injury. <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/3693494/2022/10/14/ngolo-kante-france-chelsea-world-cup-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> claims the Chelsea star midfielder suffered the setback in training and is expected to be on the sidelines for about three months. The World Cup begins in just over a month.</p>



<p>Kante previously injured his hamstring during a draw against Tottenham Hotspur back in August. The 31-year-old midfielder has not featured since. However, it appears as if Kante recently re-injured the hamstring as he attempted to gain fitness.</p>



<p>The Frenchman has made 53 appearances for his country and was a vital part of France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.</p>



<p>To make matters worse for Chelsea, head coach Graham Potter also claimed that Reece James will soon see a specialist about his injured knee. ”Reece is due to see a specialist over the weekend so until we get that information, there is not too much more I can add,” <a href="https:\/\/www.bbc.com/sport/football/63260342" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated Potter</a>.</p>



<p>When asked if his right back could also miss the World Cup, Potter urged caution on the situation. “We need to check the discomfort and see a specialist,” the coach continued.</p>



<h2>Chelsea players not healthy enough for World Cup</h2>



<p>“Yesterday he felt not too bad but until you get these things checked we never know. There is no point looking into the doomsday scenario yet. We need to check and then go forward.”</p>



<p>James injured his knee during his team’s 2-0 victory against AC Milan on Tuesday. The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England </a>international was substituted out of the match in the 62nd minute due to the incident.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“It’s a setback, it’s not good news”. Graham Potter, worried for N’Golo Kanté situation after new injury. 🚨🔵 <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a><br><br>“He&apos;s due to see a consultant at the weekend. It’s not positive news… I can&apos;t give you anymore”. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/KUJTaIeyNt">pic.twitter.com/KUJTaIeyNt</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1580900879955173376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Potter also acknowledged that missing a massive tournament like the World Cup would be demoralizing for his players. “If anything happens like [missing the World Cup], they are going to be disappointed,” Potter proclaimed. “They are human beings and they want to go.”</p>



<p>“It’s about dealing with the upset and we will help them with that. I can’t think of anything from my career that compares with missing the World Cup.”</p>


A pair of Chelsea standouts look like they will both be unfit for the World Cup while recovering from injuries sustained at club level.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Ngolo Kante"

Leagues: EPL

Newcastle line up two ex-EPL stars to replace Sandro Tonali

Chelsea

Chelsea players Kante and James both doubtful for World Cup