Jose Enrique continues to praise the work being done by Newcastle United

Former Newcastle United full-back Jose Enrique believes that Toon star Sandro Tonali has all the capabilities to become a “world class player for” the Magpies.

Last month, the Italian midfield dynamo made the switch from his boyhood club AC Milan, to the Magpies in a reported £55 million deal, much to the delight of the black-and-white faithful.

The statement signing, and the first of four for United this summer, made 48 appearances in all competitions for the Rossoneri last term, and has featured 18 times in the illustrious Champions League during his career so far.

Within his home debut and man of the match performance during the 5-1 drumming of Aston Villa during the opening weekend, Tonali opened the scoring after just six minutes when he met a lopping cross from Anthony Gordon with a venomous volley which flew past Villa keeper Emi Martinez, and sent the Toon Army into utter euphoria.

As such, Enrique has said that the 23-year-old has the talent and potential to become one of the best midfielders in world football. He told Grosvenor Sport: “For me, Sandro Tonali is a player that will keep growing and eventually he can become world class.”

The 55 million-pound man dictated the play against a lack-lustre Villa side, marauding marvellously across the park and was the jewel in the crown of a tremendous Toon performance.

The former Reds defender added: “After seeing him against Aston Villa I thought that he had everything. I can see him scoring goals, he runs a lot and he is the perfect style of player for Eddie Howe so I think he can make a similar impact to Bruno Guimaraes when they signed him. “

The former AC Milan marvel has all the attributes, both technical and physical, to shine under the United boss, as Eddie Howe said after the Villa thumping that the Italian has the “He is an outstanding talent, he’s got a combination of a lot of attributes that will suit the Premier League.”

Enrique echoed this sentiment, as he hailed the midfield ace as being on a “different level” to those around him, elevating the Magpies even higher as a result of his arrival.

The Spaniard added: “Tonali is on another level and I really believe that he will be a world class player for Newcastle.”