Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has quickly been won over by Sandro Tonali.
The 80m signing from AC Milan has already impressed in preseason action.
Given told The Athletic: "I had lunch with him, (Kieran) Trippier and a few others and asked him about his English. I'm not saying it was brilliant but I have to say I was amazed at how good it was.
"I'm not sure I would be as good with the Italian in such a short time. He's having a couple of lessons here but he told me that once he gets home to Tyneside he'll have lessons every day. He seems like a smart boy to me and he's certainly a very smart footballer.
"I see him in training, he plays with great ease, he sees things first, things that others don't see. It's pure quality."