Bruno Guimaraes enhanced his reputation at Newcastle United on Saturday with a stunning brace in the 5-1 thrashing of Brentford. The Brazilian international has been a leading force in Newcastle's new era since his arrival from Olympique Lyonnais in January.
Talk has now emerged as to whether Guimaraes is the best midfielder Newcastle have ever had in their ranks. With that in mind, we have asked our Chronicle Live writers to give us their verdict on the matter.
Aaron Stokes
It is testament to Guimaraes' ability that he is already being compared with such esteemed company after only nine months in England.
Bruno's raw talent certainly puts him in the mix to be crowned Newcastle's greatest ever but it's hard to say his all-round game is better than that of Rob Lee or Gary Speed. You also have Yohan Cabaye and his wizardry with a dead ball and Paul Gascoigne's dazzling dribbling to consider.
I don't think you can categorically say Bruno is the best to have ever it done it in a black and white shirt just yet. But if he keeps this current form up in the coming years, it's certain he will take the title.
Lee Ryder
Bruno is certainly on the road to this exact title but he is not there just yet in terms of time served. In terms of ability? He is right up there at the top and I can easily talk about him in the same ball park as the likes of Rob Lee, Paul Gascoigne and Yohan Cabaye.
The scary thing is he can get even better given his age and he's yet to hit the peak time of a player's career. Given he wants to play further forward and will be pushed up once Jonjo Shelvey returns, this is a mind boggling situation for fans.
There is no limit to how high Bruno can go.
Ciaran Kelly
It's just a matter of time before Bruno Guimaraes, in his own words, becomes a 'legend' at Newcastle United. The Brazil international's man of the match performance against Brentford was a reminder why.
It was not just the goals, but how Bruno took that game by the scruff of the neck and stepped up, whether it was trying to cut Brentford open or winning the ball back for his side. There is still so much more to come from Bruno and, with that in mind, I feel it's still slightly too early to proclaim him Newcastle's greatest ever midfielder given how he has only made 17 starts for the club.
I have no doubt Bruno will soon take that title but when it comes to longevity, service and being arguably the club's best ever bargain, Rob Lee still comes out on top for me. For now, at least.
Ross Gregory
Rob Lee is hands down the best midfielder I've seen in a black and white shirt in 40 years of watching Newcastle United.
Was he the most gifted? No, that would be Paul Gascoigne. Was he the toughest tackler? No, David Batty or David McCreery take that title.
But for all round game and consistency of performance, Lee is unrivalled. Gazza, Yohan Cabaye and Tony Green may have shone brighter at St James' Park, but their legacy was cut short.
When Lee first joined Newcastle, he was a flying winger before moving infield to become a box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal. Only seven players have scored more Premier League goals for United than the Londoner.
In his latter years, he sat in front of the back four, breaking up play and marshalling the midfield. An astute reader of the game and a leader in one of the greatest eras of Newcastle's history.
Bruno Guimareas is arguably the nearest player Newcastle have had to Lee since he left. The Brazilian could well go on and ensure equal legendary status, but he's not there quite yet.
Take our Bruno Guimaraes survey and let us know if you think the Brazilian is the best to ever do it for Newcastle?
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