Bruno Guimaraes is described by many as ‘one of the best young midfielders’ in Europe - and after just 405 minutes of Premier League football, it has not taken Newcastle United fans long to agree with that statement. The Brazilian has had to wait nearly three months to make his first start at St James’ Park, against Wolves, but it was worth the wait.
Before the one-nil victory over Wolves, Guimaraes had been afforded just 13 minutes of playing time at home. It’s a testament to both him and Eddie Howe that firstly, Guimaraes did not act in a negative way to lack of game time, and secondly, the manager had an approach and stuck with it despite the noise from elsewhere.
It was no secret that Guimaraes would start against Wolves - a side with European ambitions, and arguably the surprise package of the season. Yet, Wolves were no match for Guimaraes who quite simply looked a level above the Midlands opposition.
LISTEN: THE EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE PODCAST
People who have followed Guimaraes’ career from Brazil to France and now to Tyneside, point out that the 24-year-old but for goals, has it all. The claim that his arrival at Newcastle was quite the coup is not an exaggerated statement - the midfielder was heavily tracked by Juventus and Arsenal, and given his start to life in the Premier League, the Gunners will be kicking themselves they missed out.
Guimaraes’ outing against Wolves was nothing short of a masterclass. In a game that lacked quality, he provided what little there was.
From his passing range - 41 out of 47 attempted, leaving him with a completion rate of 87.2% - to topping the list when it comes to tackles made (4), completed pressures (7), and distance travelled with the ball (375 yards), he really did put in an all-rounded display.
The usual take is that the game plan is to give the ball to Allan Saint-Maximin and let the Frenchman do the work - but for one of the rare times this season, the winger was not the top target of his teammates' passes. That was Guimaraes.
The Brazilian was the chosen target 50 times with 47 of the passes reaching him - an astounding 95% success rate. In comparison, Saint-Maximin controlled 38 of the 48 attempts.
Guimaraes - with his ability to turn on the ball quickly from a deep position, and carry the ball forward as he did eight times in the game to a total of 102 yards, is allowing Saint-Maximin to not sit as deep, and instead offer a greater counter-attacking threat. Guimaraes’ talents to break up the play of the opposition before quickly recycling it for United, could prove an important asset for the likes of Saint-Maxmin and Joelinton.
And there’s another sign to Guimaraes’ game that shone through against Wolves - his knack to draw a foul. He was awarded five free-kick against Wolves - some at crucial times in the game with Newcastle under pressure.
Admittedly, watching the game I didn’t feel all were fouls - but Guimaraes’ clever way of positioning his body so there is contact with the opposition, was enough to buy the foul. It’s a clever part of his game - it allowed Newcastle to press reset, to break up the play of the opposition and regroup.
Such a part of Guimaraes’ game - the Brazilian has been fouled 25 times in the 10 appearances for Newcastle this season. That already leaves him fourth in the list behind Joe Willock, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maxmin.
To put that into context, Wilfried Zaha tops the list across the Premier League with 97 fouls drawn - with Saint-Maxmin drawing 62 and currently sixth on the list.
The contrast between Saint-Maximin and Guimaraes' fouls - is the Frenchman tends to be an obvious target, the opposition knowing that if they don't stop him, United will march onto goal. Guimaraes, in the centre of the park - tends to create the foul through his clever positioning rather than being chased.
Those stoppages could well be the small difference between winning games and not - and Guimaraes has adapted well to that. There's plenty more to come from Guimaraes but in the limited time he has had on Tyneside, he has shown himself to be more than capable of handling the rigours of the top flight - and has set the bar for what many Newcastle fans hope is to come in the forthcoming windows.
