Bruno Guimaraes has been a constant for Newcastle United since arriving at the club in January 2022.
The Brazilian, arguably one of the greatest to ever play for Newcastle in the Premier League era, has missed only seven League games since his joining from Lyon. Eddie Howe’s side have not won a single one of them.
That is a remarkable feat, particularly for a combative central midfielder who is also expected to play in pretty much every cup competition.
While this season hasn’t been absolutely perfect, the team captain remains perhaps the team’s most important player.
Guimaraes ranks in the top five players at Newcastle for tackles (2.1), interceptions (0.9), fouls drawn (3.6), dribbles (1.4) and key passes per game (0.9).
| Metric | Number (per game) | Team rank |
| Tackles | 2.1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0.9 | 3 |
| Fouls drawn | 3.6 | 1 |
| Dribbles | 1.4 | 1 |
| Key passes | 0.9 | 5 |
In most of those metrics, he’s the leading player.
Guimaraes is so often the beating heart of this Newcastle team but there has been a change of late.
Indeed, Sandro Tonali has been deployed as a No.6 at times this season, allowing the Brazil international to move further forward as a No.8.
Guimaraes scored in Saturday’s win over Leicester to follow up his two assists against Liverpool earlier this month and Howe was pleased with his performance.
So, it seems, was Alexander Isak.
Alexander Isak has new nickname for Bruno Guimaraes after Newcastle beat Leicester
Guimaraes posted an Instragram photo after the game detailing his happiness about the 4-0 victory.
In response, striker Isak wrote: “El mejor”, which is translated to “The best.”
Bruno Guimaraes has to continue in new role for Newcastle
Howe has sometimes seemed reluctant to consistently play Tonali and Guimaraes together, particularly with the Italian deeper amid doubts about whether the two can operate successfully against the best teams in the Premier League.
While there will be tougher tests to come than Leicester, it’s time to see it continue.
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