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- Police officer menaced driving school owner after son’s course rejection | UK News
- Paul Merson ‘astonished’ Chelsea overlooked £55m transfer this January | Football
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- Jeffrey Epstein’s Disturbing Reaction to Being Called ‘the Devil Himself’ | UK News
- Key Figures Revealed in Latest Epstein Files: Melania Trump, Bill Gates & More
- Arsenal in negotiations to acquire Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali on deadline day
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Police officer menaced driving school owner after son’s course rejection | UK News
2:01 pm
TL:DR – Police officer menaced driving school owner after son’s course rejection | UK News
- Police Sergeant Gabriel Chandler, with Kent Police since 2002, was dismissed for gross misconduct after harassing a driving school.
- His son failed to secure an intensive driving course, leading Chandler to demand a full refund despite a non-refundable deposit.
- He inundated the school’s owner with threatening emails and hundreds of calls, including claims of fraud and accusations linked to serious crimes.
- A misconduct hearing concluded his actions severely breached professional standards, leading to his termination.
Police officer threatened driving school boss after son missed out on course | News UK
A police officer who launched a campaign of abuse at a driving school after his son missed out on an intensive course has been sacked.
Police Sergeant Gabriel Chandler, an officer at Kent Police since 2002, targeted the school with dozens of calls and emails over five months.
In online reviews of Intensives UK, he accused the business of being linked to child sexual abuse and suggested owner Mark Elliot had previously been ‘inappropriate with young female drivers’, an internal inquiry found.
The misconduct hearing, which took place between December 8 and 12 last year, concluded PS Chandler’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.
It investigated the officer’s actions after he booked an intensive driving course for his son in June 2021, paying £1,359 in a deposit and course money to Intensives UK.
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However, the course did not happen, as the school was never informed that PS Chandler’s son had passed his driving theory – a requirement of their terms and conditions.
The police officer demanded a full refund in response, but did not receive one.
Beginning in February 2022, PS Chandler embarked on a campaign of calls, emails and online reviews aimed at Intensives UK and Mr Elliot.
Staff at the school told the hearing the police officer would sometimes make ‘up to 50 calls a day’, with logs showing he rang the firm 44 times on one day in August.
Kent Police said the officer’s behaviour ‘fell far below’ what was expected (Picture: Cover Images)
Extracts from the emails included in the misconduct hearing report show him describing Mr Elliot as a ‘thief’ and a ‘criminal’ with ‘links to funding drugs, paedophilia and child sexual exploitation’.
In one message, he warns the school owner: ‘You’re [sic] homes and offices will be raided. You will all face heavy custodial sentences.
‘And in my experience fraudsters aren’t built for prison. Your families they’ll be ripped apart.’
Later that same day, he wrote in another email: ‘Even your legitimate accounts will be frozen. I’d hate for that to affect your families. But it happens.’
In March, PS Chandler was offered a partial refund of around £1,122 but did not accept it.
Even when he was eventually offered a full refund, the police officer turned it down and did not stop his abuse.
Another email says: ‘Forget the money. Your [sic] a criminal. I’m going to take you down and yes I’m going to enjoy doing it.’
Gabriel Chandler told the driving school boss to ‘keep looking over your shoulder’ (Picture: Mid Kent Police/Cover Images)
You fraudsters are funding a paedophile ring
Reviews left online by PS Chandler accused Intensives UK staff of using fake names and claimed Mr Elliot and his partner were Scottish rather than Welsh.
Another said: ‘You fraudsters are funding a paedophile ring exploiting child sex slaves. It’s a fact known to every agency seeking you out.
‘The vigilantes have seen it all the dark web for that matter. That’s where our money is being used. Keep hiding you cowards.’
Mr Elliot reported the behaviour to the police as a criminal matter in August 2022, and PS Chandler reacted by flagging ‘malicious reports’ from ‘criminals’ to the Professional Standards Department.
In January 2023, the police officer made a civil claim against Mr Elliot which was described by the misconduct panel as ‘purposefully misleading’.
According to the misconduct report, PS Chandler continued to target the business even after it rebranded.
The report described him as an ‘intelligent and successful police officer’ who should have realised he needed to follow the standards of professional behaviour whether on or off the clock.
It continues: ‘It was absolutely plain that the tone and content of the emails demonstrated that he failed to do this.’
The panel concluded the ‘only sanction’ that would maintain public confidence and preserve the police’s reputation was dismissal without notice.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Armory, head of professional standards at Kent Police, said: ‘Even when off duty, police officers are still held to the highest standards of professional conduct and, in this case, PC Chandler’s behaviour fell far below what is expected of our officers and staff.
‘The vast majority of Kent Police officers and staff uphold the expected standards of Kent Police, often going above and beyond to ensure crimes are solved, victims are protected, and offenders are brought to justice.’
Paul Merson ‘astonished’ Chelsea overlooked £55m transfer this January | Football
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TL:DR – Paul Merson ‘astonished’ Chelsea overlooked £55m transfer this January | Football
- Paul Merson expresses shock at Chelsea’s failure to secure Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, who has joined Liverpool for £55m plus £5m in add-ons.
- Chelsea had reportedly agreed personal terms with Jacquet, a rising star in French football.
- Merson criticises Liverpool’s decision to wait until summer for Jacquet, especially given current defensive injuries.
- Chelsea is also pursuing Nantes’ Tylel Tati, though a bid was rejected.
- Coach Liam Rosenior has limited involvement in transfer dealings.
Paul Merson ‘shocked’ Chelsea missed out on £55m transfer this January | Football
Premier League” decoding=”sync”/>Paul Merson is ‘shocked’ to see Chelsea miss out on Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet (Picture: Getty)
Paul Merson says he is ‘shocked’ that Chelsea were beaten to a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet by Liverpool this January.
Chelsea had been exploring a bid for Jacquet and appeared to make a significant breakthrough in their move as they agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old.
Jacquet, enjoying only his second full season as a professional, has established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in French football in recent months and was heavily linked with Arsenal last summer.
But in the final few days of the transfer window, Liverpool struck a stunning deal for the youngster, worth around £55million plus £5m in add-ons, blowing their rivals out of the water.
However, Jacquet will remain with Rennes for the remainder of the campaign before joining up with the reigning Premier League champions until the summer.
It comes as something of a surprise to Merson that Liverpool are happy to wait for Jacquet given Arne Slot’s current injury woes in defence, with Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong all currently sidelined.
‘Yeah, I found that extraordinary that he’s coming in the summer,’ ex-Arsenal, Aston Villa and England midfielder Merson said of Liverpool’s move for Jacquet on Sky Sports News.
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Jacquet will join up with Liverpool in the summer (Picture: Getty)
The France U21 international will join the Reds for a fee of £55m
‘They need a centre-half in now to fight for the top four or top five. So yeah, it surprises me.
‘I’m majorly shocked. I don’t know why this kid is staying in France until the start of next season.
‘If you’re paying that amount of money then you’re going, “We want him now, we want him today!”, and that’s the problem.
‘I don’t know if it’s FFP rules, I don’t know if it is that. If that is the reasoning then I understand.’
Like many, Merson wrongly assumed Chelsea had won the race for Jacquet when they wrapped up an agreement with the defender’s camp last month.
Merson is, though, relieved to see Josh Acheampong stay put at Stamford Bridge after some rumours had been circulating linking the 19-year-old with a possible temporary move this January.
‘Jacquet is a good signing for Liverpool and, as a Chelsea fan, I’m shocked that he hasn’t gone to Chelsea,’ Merson – a lifelong fan of Chelsea – added.
‘I know Chelsea have got a lot of centre-backs but I think there’s a lot that need to come in and out of Chelsea in my opinion.
‘But I am glad Acheampong has stayed but I think he’s going to be a proper, proper player that kid.’
Chelsea have also been looking at Nantes defender Tati this winter (Picture: Getty)
Jacquet is not the only French defender to find himself on Chelsea’s radar this winter, with Nantes’ Tylel Tati known to be high up on the wishlist of Stamford Bridge bosses.
But according to reports in France, the Blues saw an initial offer of £26m knocked back by Nantes and a move for the 18-year-old is unlikely to materialise before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Facing the media last week, Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior made no secret of the fact that he expects to have limited involvement when it comes to the club’s transfer dealings.
‘That’s the beauty of being a head coach within a structure,’ Rosenior told reporters.
‘I’m not an old-school manager that’s got out the phone and is making calls.
‘I’ve got the best people, I think, in world football working on those things.
‘I probably see the last two per cent of the work they do, which allows me to focus on what I need to focus on: the team and the performance.’
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EU Electric Car Sales Exceed Petrol Vehicles for First Time in December 2025
11:18 am
TL:DR – EU Electric Car Sales Exceed Petrol Vehicles for First Time in December 2025
• Sales of fully electric cars surpassed petrol-only vehicles in the EU for the first time in December 2025.
• The EU registered more hybrid electric cars last year, indicating a market shift.
• A 90% reduction in CO2 emissions is now required by 2035, down from 100%.
• Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France accounted for 62% of battery-electric car registrations.
• Petrol car registrations fell by 18.7% in 2025, with France seeing the largest drop at 32%.
• The EU auto industry employs 13.6 million people and generates 8.1% of EU manufacturing jobs.
Petrol or electric? EVs are becoming more popular than fuel-powered cars in Europe
Sales of fully electric cars in the EU overtook petrol-only models for the first time in December 2025, as Brussels moved to soften its 2035 emissions rules, industry figures show.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said the shift coincided with an EU revision to its 2035 targets, lowering the required CO2 cut from 100% to 90%.
EU Electric Car Sales Overtake Petrol in December 2025
ACEA data shows the crossover point arrived at the end of 2025, reflecting rapid growth in battery-electric registrations across several major markets.
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France accounted for 62% of EU battery-electric registrations.
Hybrid Cars Still Lead EU Car Market in 2025
Despite the monthly milestone for fully electric cars, hybrids remained the EU’s largest category across 2025. The figures suggest many buyers continue to opt for mixed powertrains as charging infrastructure and price pressures shape demand.
Petrol and Diesel Registrations Fall as Incentives Shift
Petrol registrations fell 18.7% by the end of 2025, with the steepest drop in France at 32%, according to ACEA.
Diesel’s share slipped below 10% as incentives and consumer preferences continued to move towards electrified models.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Disturbing Reaction to Being Called ‘the Devil Himself’ | UK News
10:21 am
TL:DR – “Jeffrey Epstein’s Disturbing Reaction to Being Called ‘the Devil Himself’ | UK News“
- A new two-hour interview with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has surfaced amid a massive document release from the Department of Justice.
- Epstein admits to being a ‘tier one’ sexual predator, referencing his wealth from advising ‘the worst people’.
- Millions of documents, dubbed the “Epstein files,” reveal significant details about his crimes.
- Activists highlight missed opportunities to protect victims, including a 1996 complaint against him that the FBI ignored.
- The fallout raises serious questions about accountability and justice for Epstein’s numerous victims.
Jeffrey Epstein’s eerie response when asked if he’s ‘the devil himself’ | News World
A chilling two-hour interview with Jeffrey Epstein has been released alongside millions of other documents from the Department of Justice.
It’s unclear who is interviewing the paedophile, who took his own life in a jail cell in 2019, or when the footage was filmed.
The interviewer asked Epstein: ‘Did they [his clients] know where the money came from?’
He rambled: ‘I think if… the devil himself said, I’m going to exchange some dollars for your child’s life.’
The interviewer interjected: ‘Do you think you’re the devil himself?’
Epstein paused for a moment, then replied: ‘No, but I have a good mirror… I don’t know. Why would you say that?’
The paedophile later said ‘Satan scares me’ and admitted to being a ‘tier one’ sexual predator.
Epstein was interviewed for nearly two hours (Picture: US DOJ)
The interviewer then touched on how Epstein earned his wealth, insinuating he got rich by ‘advising the worst people in the world’.
He added: ‘We walked into that clinic to these people that are in the most dire straits of poverty and sickness, and told them the money was coming from a- what are you, a class three sexual predator?’
Epstein replied: ‘Tier one. I’m the lowest.’
The 66-year-old was facing a series of serious sex trafficking charges in a case that gripped the world’s attention due to the potential ramifications for some very high-profile public figures before his death.
Millions of documents related to his crimes and correspondence before his death have been released by the Department of Justice in the past two months.
The Epstein files refer to all of the evidence gathered by investigators working on the criminal cases against Epstein and his associates.
USA – 07 Dec 2021Mandatory Credit: Photo by SDNY/ZUMA Press Wire/REX (12665576s)” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async”/>
Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, trafficked dozens of girls (Picture: Rex)
In late December, it was revealed that the FBI missed an opportunity to protect thousands of victims after a complaint about Epstein was not acted on, campaigners said.
Maria Farmer, whose sister Annie Farmer was abused by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, filed a report against him on September 3, 1996, despite threats that he would ‘burn her house down’.
The FBI never publicly confirmed the complaint until the report surfaced as part of the trove of Epstein files released this week.
‘I’ve waited 30 years,’ she told the New York Times, ‘I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.’
Ms Farmer claimed for years that she tried to raise the alarm about Epstein and his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, but faced accusations of fabricating the story.
But her complaint – with her name redacted – was published alongside thousands of other documents by the Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Ms Farmer’s lawyer said the revelation about the complaint was a ‘triumph and tragedy for Maria and so many survivors.’
Jennifer Freeman added: ‘Maria Farmer reported Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes in 1996.
‘Had the government done their job, and properly investigated Maria’s report, over 1000 victims could have been spared and 30 years of trauma avoided.’
Key Figures Revealed in Latest Epstein Files: Melania Trump, Bill Gates & More
10:08 am
TL:DR – Key Figures Revealed in Latest Epstein Files: Melania Trump, Bill Gates & More
- Over 3 million files related to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were released by the US Justice Department, containing 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
- Notable names mentioned include Melania Trump and Donald Trump, both denying any wrongdoing.
- Disturbing images involving Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson were also revealed.
- Other figures linked to Epstein include Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and Bill Clinton, raising concerns about their associations with the convicted sex offender.
Key figures named in the latest Epstein files release – from Melania Trump to Bill Gates | News World
USA – 07 Dec 2021Mandatory Credit: Photo by SDNY/ZUMA Press Wire/REX (12665576s)” decoding=”sync”/>Files detailing paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s communications have shocked the world (Picture: ZUMA)
It’s been three days since almost 3,000,000 further files about paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were released, and the world is still trying to make sense of them.
The US Justice Department released more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos, and some 180,000 images relating to the disgraced financier.
Other documents include FBI tips, call logs, wire transfer confirmations, private jet itineraries, and paperwork about children’s school enrolment.
Names of famous businessmen, royals, and politicians have emerged in the latest release of files – here’s a full list of what we know about each of them.
Melania Trump
The First Lady of the United States appeared to be mentioned in the latest cache of files, with an email that appeared to speak about Ghislaine Maxwell.
A woman named Melania wrote in October 2002: ‘Dear G, how are you? Nice story about JE (Jeffrey Epstein) in NY Mag. You look great in the picture.’
Donald Trump
The US President has continued to deny any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, but he is mentioned in recent files as well.
One document published last Friday appeared to contain unverified tips that a 13 or 14-year-old girl was forced to perform oral sex on Trump decades ago, the Telegraph reported.
Hours after files containing Trump’s name were published, including the one with the child sex abuse claim, they disappeared from the DOJ Website. It was later restored.
The DOJ issued a statement: ‘To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already.
A separate document saw an unnamed person accuse the US leader of taking part in ‘orgy parties’.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Washington, D.C., U.S., on January 30, 2026 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Justice Department/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. REDACTED AREAS FROM SOURCE.” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async”/>
Disturbing photos released as part of the latest batch of Epstein files appeared to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouched on all fours over a woman.
The three pictures show a man believed to be the disgraced former duke looming over the woman, who is lying sprawled on the floor.
Andrew has faced allegations, which he strenuously denies, that he sexually assaulted a teenage Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein.
He paid millions to Ms Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.
Sarah Ferguson
A damning email in the latest files showed that Sarah Ferguson, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife, ‘proposed’ to Epstein.
Ferguson wrote to Epstein: ‘You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe my love and gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.’
Another email to Epstein in 2009 saw Ferguson call him ‘the brother I have always wished for’ and say she was ‘so proud’ of him.
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice
London. Picture date: Wednesday April 23, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Sarah. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire” loading=”lazy” decoding=”async”/>
Just months after he was released from prison in 2009, Sarah Ferguson allegedly visited Epstein in Miami with her two daughters, when they were 21 and 19.
Part of the files released last week also appeared to show images of Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, sent to Epstein by their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The photos were sent when Eugenie was 21/22 and Beatrice was 23/24.
Being included in the Epstein files is no indication of any criminal wrongdoing.
Elon Musk
Tesla boss, and former de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, asked Epstein to attend one of the ‘wildest parties’ on Epstein Island in 2012.
This was just three years after the disgraced financier was released from prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Musk wrote: ‘Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [SIC] island?’
At the time of the emails, he was married to actress Talulah Riley. A year later in December 2013, he also asked Epstein: ‘Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?’
Epstein replied: ‘Always space for you.’
Musk said yesterday he had been ‘well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name’.
He added: ‘No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and I’m glad that has finally happened.
‘I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his “Lolita Express”.’
Richard Branson
When the first trove of files was released last December, Sir Richard Branson was seen posing for a photo with Epstein with two women behind them.
The latest documents revealed an email exchange between the Virgin CEO and Epstein, in which he said it was ‘nice seeing you’.
Branson then added that Epstein was welcome to visit again, adding: ‘as long as you bring your harem!’
A Virgin Group spokesperson said: ‘Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event.
‘When Epstein offered a charity donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting the donation, which uncovered serious allegations. As a result of what the due diligence uncovered, Virgin Unite did not take the donation, and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak with Epstein again.
‘Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever – Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims.’
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton was previously mentioned in the Epstein files, but has continuously denied any knowledge of the paedophile’s crimes and wrongdoing.
The latest release of files revealed further pictures of Clinton and Epstein inside Epstein’s home.
The Norwegian Crown Princess
The crown princess of Norway, Princess Mette-Marit, exchanged dozens of emails with Epstein, despite allegedly knowing about his jail sentence.
Epstein emailed Mette-Marit in 2012 and said he was going ‘wife hunting’ in Paris.
Mette Marit replied: ‘Paris good for adultery. Scandis better wife material.’
She’s since apologised and said she wouldn’t have contacted him had she known about his criminal charges.
But an email in 2011 showed that she wrote to Epstein: ‘Googled u after last email. Agree didn’t look too good.’
Brett Ratner, director of ‘Melania’
Brett Ratner, the director of ‘Melania’, which followed the First Lady during the 2024 re-election campaign for Donald Trump, was also pictured with Epstein in the latest files release.
In 2017, Warner Bros severed ties with Ratner after allegations of sexual assault and harassment from six women.
Howard Lutnick, Trump’s Commerce Secretary
Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, was found to have emailed Epstein multiple times and planned a visit to his island in 2012.
It’s unclear if that visit ever took place, but Lutnick previously admitted that he and his wife were invited to Epstein’s house.
A spokesperson for Lutnick has stressed that he had ‘limited interactions’ with the disgraced paedophile and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Arsenal in negotiations to acquire Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali on deadline day
10:01 am
TL:DR – Arsenal in negotiations to acquire Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali on deadline day
- Arsenal are in talks to sign Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali on deadline day.
- Mikel Merino is injured and will undergo surgery, prompting Arsenal’s search for a midfielder.
- Direct talks for Tonali have taken place but finalising the deal is “very very difficult” due to Newcastle’s reluctance to let him go.
- Tonali’s contract runs until June 2028, and he has been an integral part of Newcastle despite recent form issues.
Arsenal in talks to sign Newcastle star Sandro Tonali in stunning deadline-day transfer | Football
Premier League” decoding=”sync”/>Arsenal are in discussions to land Newcastle star Sandro Tonali (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are reportedly in talks to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali in an audacious deadline-day move.
The Premier League leaders have been forced to scour the January transfer market after learning that Mikel Merino is set to be sidelined for a ‘considerable period’ due to a foot injury.
Merino played no part in Arsenal’s 4-0 thumping of Leeds on Saturday afternoon and it was subsequently confirmed that the Spaniard will be forced to undergo surgery.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News this morning, Sky Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg revealed ‘top sources’ had informed him that the Gunners were exploring a possible deal for Tonali.
He claimed the 25-year-old Italy international had been the subject of ‘direct talks’ in the last couple of hours.
But for now, the proposed signing is deemed ‘very very difficult’ to finalise given Newcastle have not given the green light, reluctant to part with such a key player midway through their campaign.
The north London giants have not given up hope, though, and are still pushing to prise the midfielder away from St James’ Park before today’s transfer deadline at 19:00 GMT.
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Arsenal have held ‘direct talks’ for the Italy midfielder (Picture: Getty)
Tonali is enjoying his third season with Newcastle having completed a £55million move from AC Milan back in 2023.
In that time, Tonali has made 91 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies and was on the winning side last season as Eddie Howe’s men went all the way in the Carabao Cup.
However, the ex-Milan and Brescia midfielder was slapped with a ten-month ban for breaching Italian betting regulations in October 2023, meaning he played just eight league games in his debut season at Newcastle.
Tonali’s current contract in the north east runs through to June 2028, with the option of a further 12 months.
Tonali lifted the Carabao Cup with the Magpies last term (Picture: Getty)
He played the full 90 minutes of Newcastle’s 4-1 loss to Liverpool at the weekend (Picture: Getty)
The Italian’s form has been up and down in recent weeks and Newcastle boss Howe came to his defence after an especially underwhelming performance against Leeds.
It came as Tonali’s wife, Juliette Pastore, was due to give birth to their baby boy, who was born just hours later.
‘The players are, of course, human beings,’ Howe told reporters after Tonali was hauled off at half-time in Newcastle’s 4-3 win.
‘They have loads going on in their private lives continually, as we all do, and the balance between work and private life and making sure your work is not affected by your private life is an ongoing battle for everybody.
Tonali is in his third season at St James’ Park (Picture: Getty)
‘The lads are really professional, they know the importance of what they deliver on a weekend or whenever they’re playing, for themselves, for their families, for their careers.
‘But occasionally I have to understand what’s going on in their lives and when maybe things are going on off the pitch that affect them and I can support them and help them, and as a football club we can support and help them in every moment of their lives.
‘It’s not just babies and other things, there’s so much going on in daily life that can have an effect positively and negatively.’
The Newcastle star is tied into a contract until June 2029 (Picture: Getty)
Earlier this season, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes caught many fans by surprise as he picked out Tonali as the best midfield player in the Premier League.
Asked who he classed as the finest midfielder in the English top flight, Scholes said on Sky Bet’s The Overlap: ‘Right now? That’s tough.
‘I still don’t class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.
‘I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup.
Manchester United icon Scholes is a big fan of Tonali (Picture: Getty)
‘I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.
‘It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t do that again for another 18 months would you?
‘He’s one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he’s brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.
Tonali has been capped 30 times by the Italian national team (Picture: Getty)
‘Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment.
‘I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.’
Pressed if he was genuinely naming Tonali as the best midfielder in the league, Scholes replied: ‘Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice but I think he’s better than Rice.
‘I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything. Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.
‘He can do everything but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they’re both good players.’
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