Bruno Guimaraes has named Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney among his Premier League idols. The Brazilian has been the hot topic of conversation since arriving in the Premier League.
Sky Sports discussed whether the 24-year-old was currently the best central-midfielder in the Premier League and it's difficult to argue against that rhetoric. Guimaraes has been a revelation this season and when moulding his game on the likes of Rooney, it's clear to see why.
Guimaraes told the Premier League : "The players in my position, I love Gerrard, Lampard, but I think my favourite when I was young that I liked to see was Wayne Rooney. I loved Rooney, everybody in Brazil had his shirt.
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"I liked the way that he played, the way that he scored. For me, he was an amazing player, I liked the person as well. He was a player I followed off the pitch."
When asked why Brazilian players have so much thrill and tend to thrive in England's top tier, Guimaraes said: "It goes back to the favelas in Brazil. We play in the streets every time - technically it's the dribbling, it's the never be afraid, always try to do something different to change the game.
"Many Brazilians in this league - Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus - I told you before that the Premier League is the most difficult league in the world and when you have some skills it can help you. You always have something in your pocket to do something different."
Guimaraes isn't the only Newcastle player with a bundle of skill in his locker. Allan Saint-Maximin, has been a potent threat for the Magpies since Howe's arrival, and the Brazilian admits he loves playing with him.
"Amazing player," said Guimaraes. "Allan is the skill man he can do things that other players can't. I love playing with him, we play well together and we speak in French together. On the pitch, my English I'm improving but he was my first mate here."
The Brazil international has also struck up an impressive connection with fellow South American Miguel Almiron. "There's a big connection between Brazil and Paraguay," said Guimaraes.
When asked about combining at Fulham for Almiron's wonder strike, Guimaraes said: "We scored a similar goal in the last season against Crystal Palace. It was a beautiful goal.
"We have this connection and we try to play close to create different movement. The way Miggy kicked the ball was amazing as well."
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