Many will argue that Newcastle United have the best midfield three in the Premier League.
The trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton works spectacularly well, blending physicality and power with guile in and around the box.
With those three players, Newcastle United have everything you would want from a midfield. Tonali is the metronome in the middle, conducting play. Bruno brings goals and assists and ensures the Magpies can play through the thirds. Joelinton is the enforcer and workhorse.
As Manchester United found on Sunday, that trio can be so difficult to play against. They were all excellent as Newcastle beat Man United 4-1.
Tonali was the pick of the bunch, with his incredible energy dazzling supporters. His goal was nice too, producing a smart volley after Alexander Isak’s lobbed pass.
Newcastle United told they need someone like Declan Rice
When you look at Eddie Howe’s midfield, it is difficult to decipher how you could actually improve it.
But there is a way in the eyes of Ian Wright, who thinks the Newcastle United midfield would be even better if they were able to replace Joelinton with someone like Arsenal superstar Declan Rice.
“I didn’t realise he [Tonali] was this good,” he on the Kelly and Wrighty Show.
“As good as he is, when you look at his defensive work, his energy up and down, obviously his finishing as well.
“When you look at him and Bruno [Guimaraes], it really does look like a midfield that if you could add a Declan Rice kind of energy to that midfield with them two, you can see a lot of creativity. Alongside someone like Isak up front.
“With the players they can attract. Newcastle are now looking like a place, because it’s such a vibrant and unbelievable place, that you would want to go to. It is very attractive. They play very good football.
“I thought Tonali was outstanding yesterday.”
Newcastle United fans would not want to replace Joelinton
I do not think there are many Newcastle United fans who would want to replace Joelinton. He is a massively important player at St James’ Park, despite not being the most technically gifted in that midfield.
After all, Joelinton was Newcastle’s best player in the Carabao Cup final, as the Magpies ended their trophy drought.
But if Howe could improve one part of his midfield three, it would be swapping out Joelinton, as Tonali and Bruno are untouchable.
And when you look at other midfielders in the Premier League, someone like Declan Rice is the only player you would even consider swapping Joelinton for. Stylistically, Rice has that same physicality and power that can help dominate games, but he is also a bit more elegant in possession than Joelinton.
The England international is having a brilliant season, having started to chip in with more goals and assists. He has got seven goals and nine assists in all competitions, including his two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League. After that game, Rice told TNT Sports that his set piece strikes were ‘magic moments’ that will live with him forever.
Newcastle United wanted Declan Rice in 2023
Interestingly, Newcastle wanted to sign Rice in 2023.
At the time, he was set to leave West Ham United. As for Newcastle, they were eyeing up some exciting signings following qualification for the Champions League.
However, Newcastle could not afford Rice, who ended up joining Arsenal in a deal worth £105million.
As for the Magpies, they signed Sandro Tonali that summer from AC Milan. He has proven to be an outstanding investment, while it was reported at the time that Newcastle thought Tonali could be as good as Rice.
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