2022 has been incredible year for Newcastle United, and there are plenty of players in contention to be considered the Magpies’ best of the year.
It started with battling relegation, yet it ends with dreams of Europe. That is a testament to the work of Eddie Howe and his staff, but it wouldn’t have been possible without some tremendous performances in black and white.
The Magpies are a team transformed, and will go into 2023 with incredible optimism. It’s a stark contrast to 12 months ago, when relegation still looked likely despite the improved atmosphere after the takeover.
But now everything is coming together. Howe has produced a team that can go toe-to-toe with the best – with the key word being ‘team’.
It really has been a team effort at St James’ Park, although there have been some outstanding individual performances.
The candidates for Newcastle’s best player of 2022
When you consider who should be named Newcastle’s best player of 2022, you have to consider the entire year. Someone like Miguel Almiron has had an amazing few months, but it hasn’t been an amazing year.
In contrast, Dan Burn has been a picture of consistency in 2022. He has to be considered one of Newcastle’s players of the year, alongside defensive partner Fabian Schar.
It would be wrong not to put Kieran Trippier’s name forward, but he is hindered by the injury he suffered back in February. That limited his minutes last season, which is why he doesn’t win our top prize. The same goes for Callum Wilson.
Another contender is Joelinton, who won the club’s player of the season award during the summer. His transformation has been remarkable, and he is now a vital player for Howe.
But when it comes to top spot, we believe it can be only one man…
Bruno Guimaraes comes out on top
Bruno Guimaraes was the Magpies’ statement signing in January. He cost £35million from Lyon, and now other teams are wondering why they didn’t fork out that fee for the Brazilian.
After a period of time on the bench, Bruno burst into life at St James’ Park. He was the midfielder this team has been missing for years. Someone who can link the entire team together. Someone who can be the focal point of this exciting project.
It didn’t take long for fans to fall in love with Bruno. His debut off the bench against Everton was exhilarating, and he was only on the pitch for a few minutes.
Then came his real arrival. He got his first start away at Southampton, and he marked it with his first goal in Newcastle colours. But not just any goal – a backheel volley. Wow.
From that moment he was the talk of the Toon, and established himself as a real difference maker. In the words of Callum Wilson, he’s a ‘superstar‘.
There have been so many incredible moments in Bruno’s short Newcastle career. The last minute winner against Leicester. That scoop/chip against Norwich. His performance in the last home game of the season against Arsenal.
But Bruno wasn’t just a flash in the pan. If anything, he’s even better this season. Now the 25-year-old is considered to be among the Premier League’s elite.
Everything about Bruno is likeable. He’s got the flair you would expect from a Brazilian, and the defensive solidity of a midfield mastermind. Oozing class with every touch he takes, Bruno has the Toon Army eating out of the palm of his hand.
With every scintillating performance, it becomes all the more staggering that Newcastle were able to sign Bruno. Why did no one challenge us?
Not only that, but it was a huge risk for him to swap Lyon for Newcastle. It could have ended in disaster with the Magpies suffering relegation. But it didn’t, and Bruno is a large reason why.
Watching Newcastle in 2022 has been a real joy, and Bruno Guimaraes has been a massive part of that. He’s worth the admission fee alone, and is the kind of player who will take Newcastle into the future.
That is why Bruno Guimaraes is getting our vote as Newcastle United’s best player of 2022.
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