Bruno Guimaraes is now top unwanted Premier League leaderboard, it’s an issue for Newcastle

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Newcastle United and Bruno Guimaraes could have a very big problem on the horizon.

A lot has been made about Bruno Guimaraes’ future at St James’ Park, while there was even a wild claim from Spain last week that the club had decided to cash in on the Brazilian given their ongoing profit and sustainability concerns.

For now, Bruno is going nowhere. But Newcastle still could be without him in the very near future.

That is because another Premier League suspension is suddenly looming for the Magpies’ number 39.

Bruno Guimaraes now has nine yellow cards this season

During Newcastle United’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, only one Toon player was booked.

That was Bruno Guimaraes in the 21st minute, as he lunged in to try and win the ball from Man City midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

A booking was a fair decision, and it now means that the 26-year-old has nine for the entire season. That is more than any other Premier League player, with Nicolas Jackson and Joao Palhinha behind him on eight.

Bruno is top of the league, but that is not a good thing.

He has already been suspended once this season, missing the 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth back in November.

Now another suspension is looming, and it could be even more damaging.

Premier League ban looms for Newcastle’s best player

Once Bruno gets one more booking, he will have 10. And that will result in a two-game ban.

Losing any player for two games is bad, but it is even worse when it is the one player who simply can’t be replaced.

We mean that in two ways. Firstly, Newcastle have no other player who can do what Bruno can. In that respect, he is irreplaceable in midfield.

Secondly, he might literally be irreplaceable as we currently only have three available centre midfielders. The Magpies are without Joelinton, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson to injury, while Sandro Tonali is suspended.

If Bruno does pick up a suspension while those players remain out, Eddie Howe might be forced to change his formation. Or someone might have to play an unfamiliar role and do a job in the middle of the park.

It will be a difficult situation and one that Newcastle will struggle to avoid. The only way Bruno will not be banned is if he can stay yellow card free during our next 11 Premier League games. There is surely no way that will happen, which means a two-game ban will likely be coming his way between now and the beginning of April.