With the Newcastle United squad so stretched right now, Eddie Howe needs his best players to step up. Luckily, Bruno Guimaraes is doing exactly that.
The Newcastle midfielder has been outrageously good since returning from suspension, contributing massively to a famous week for the club that nearly ended with a historic three wins out of three.
The 26-year-old has not been hogging the headlines, however. Instead, all the talk has been about the red hot Anthony Gordon, the emergence of Lewis Miley or the wonderous displays from Tino Livramento.
They have all been brilliant, but it is Bruno who is standing head and shoulders above the rest as Newcastle’s main player right now.
The battle of the Brunos went his way on Saturday night, with the Manchester United captain more focussed on moaning than holding his own against the Brazil international.
Bruno is playing at an incredibly high level right now, and Eddie Howe believes his form is a key reason why Newcastle are playing so well at this moment in time.
Eddie Howe is delighted with how well Bruno Guimaraes is playing
Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Everton, Howe spoke to the media. He was asked about Bruno Guimaraes’ recent form in the middle of the park.
“You need your top players to play really well in situations like this,” he said.
“I think Bruno has certainly done that. I thought Manchester United and Chelsea were up there with his best performances. And the first half against PSG.
“He was very good with the ball, very creative, managed to get himself connected with the players in front of him.
“Also off the ball I thought he was really good. Physically excellent. Pressed really well. He’s such an important person to that part of the game for us. It’s hard work for him, physically, but he’s able to repeat those physical exertions that we need him to.
“I think his game is in a very good place, and it has to be for us to perform well because he’s at the fulcrum of everything.”
Bruno Guimaraes in great form ahead of some more huge games for Newcastle
It has been a hat-trick of fantastic performances from Bruno, up against three massive clubs.
But he belongs among the elite, and has stood out with his quality since the end of the most recent international break.
He will hope to continue playing this well on Thursday night, when Newcastle play against Everton at Goodison Park. Then it is a trip to Tottenham followed by the crunch Champions League encounter with AC Milan.
The big games keep on coming for Newcastle, meaning it is vital that Bruno maintains this high level of performance. And we have complete confidence that he will do just that.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
