Sandro Tonali has never looked back since being used as a number 6 by Eddie Howe this season with Newcastle United.

The Italy international - who operates more as an 8 for his country - picked up form after he move to a number 6 and allowed Bruno Guimaraes to move further forward. Despite a 4-1 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, Tonali was one of the best performers and if there are any tweaks to the team at Southampton, it is unlikely to be the former AC Milan star or Brazil ace who moves position.

Moving Tonali to the 6 role has been one of the cornerstones for success this term with the 24-year-old sparkling in the middle of the park.

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Tonali, speaking to United magazine, said: "A little change on the pitch with Bruno happened because we spoke together. The other midfielders, with the gaffer, with the staff to try the best position for every player. We tried one month ago for the first game and it was fine. And then we repeated it every game for eight matches. Maybe the gaffer can see into the future you know? It was a good decision for me, for Bruno and for the team."

And going over the early transition from 8 to 6, Tonali admits it took hard work on the training ground as he understood the exchange with the South American star.

The midfielder added: "I tried it a lot in the training ground before the games because it's not very simple. After one year you're training to play as an 8. Then you are training to play 6. Maybe this was difficult for me but I try to understand very quickly. I played in the past as a number 6, with one 6 and with a double 6. And maybe the first game was a bit difficult, not difficult, confusion maybe. But after the first game everything was fine."