Bruno Guimaraes arrived at Newcastle last January and announced he was on Tyneside to challenge for the Champions League.
At the time, Eddie Howe’s revolution had yet to spark; they were in the relegation zone and had two wins from 23 games. Guimaraes' declaration was bold, ambitious and defiant, showing vision that seemed like fantasy 12 months ago. On that form, the Geordies were heading for the Championship.
But take a look at the 2022 Premier League calendar year table. Newcastle lie fifth with 20 wins from 34 games and just six defeats, and only one this campaign. Their 68-point haul is 15 more than Manchester United and Chelsea, fifth best and only seven behind Manchester City.
Many elements have aligned to send Newcastle into the elite: Spending £210m on eight players - Bruno cost £34million from Lyon; Kieran Trippier ’s brilliance and leadership; Howe’s “intensity is our identity” tactical transformation; Callum Wilson, Miggy Almiron and Sven Botman have been excellent.
But Bruno G is the man opponents call “unpressable” at the fulcrum of Newcastle’s midfield. The man who sits in front of the defence, probing and passing, dodging and slithering away from opponents, breaking up play and launching attacks.
At first, it was a slow burner. Howe kept giving him a few minutes at the end of a game as he picked up the pace and computed from the bench what was needed.
It wasn’t until March that Bruno started to shine. His top flight statisticss in 2022 are brilliant. He’s made 29 appearances, scored eight goals, grabbed three assists and made 1,131 passes of all ranges. He’s made 186 recoveries, 24 interceptions in the Toon’s new pressing game and won 184 duels.
No wonder Brazil coach Tite is starting to lean on him at the World Cup. He sets the tone with forward passes, not safety-first shuffling. And no wonder Bruno himself has admitted Real Madrid asked about his availability in the summer. Newcastle don’t want to sell and it would take a bid of over £80m for the phone to be answered. “It was just a conversation, but it is nothing,” he said in October.
He is protected and helped by a system which places Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Joelinton alongside him, all combative and intelligent midfielders. Before heading to the World Cup in Qatar, Bruno described Newcastle’s start to the season - third in the league and beaten just once - as “just the start.”
He will be a key man in their push for European football and has proved himself up with the very best in 2022.
Bruno Guimaraes has been included on a nine-person shortlist for the Fans' Footballer of the Year Award. Vote using the form above or click here to access the form if it has not loaded.
Have you voted for Bruno or someone else? Have your say in the comments.
