Bruno Guimaraes is a 'massive player' for Newcastle United and is 'irreplaceable' in the heart of midfield. That is the view of former Magpies star Kieron Dyer, who insists the 'biggest compliment' that can be paid to the former Lyon playmaker is that he should have started for Brazil at the World Cup.
Eddie Howe gradually eased Guimaraes into the team following his arrival in January 2022, but it did not take long for the 25-year-old to become a key player for Newcastle. The midfielder opened his account in black-and-white with a memorable backheel goal at Southampton, and has already netted a further eight strikes.
Guimaraes was considered an injury doubt ahead of the Magpies' goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday night, having been withdrawn with an ankle problem at half-time of the win over Fulham. Speaking ahead of kick-off at Selhurst Park, Dyer named Newcastle's number 39 as one of the four best midfielders in the Premier League this season.
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He told Sky Sports: "He’s irreplaceable. I think since they’ve signed him he’s [got the] most passes, most tackles, probably the second most goals they’ve scored.
"Biggest compliment I can pay him is that I think he should be playing in the Brazil team, Brazil being the number one team in the world. I was quite shocked that he didn’t play, or start for the, at the World Cup.
"If you’re picking probably the team of the season, for me he’s been up there with probably Eriksen, de Bruyne and Xhaka - [currently] the four best midfielders in the league. He’s a massive player and I’m so glad that he’s playing here today."
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