Bruno Guimarães: Newcastle's Midfield Linchpin

It’s no secret that Bruno Guimarães is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. The 24-year-old, who joined Newcastle United from Lyon for £40 million in January, has flourished at the base of Eddie Howe’s 4-3-3 and finds himself on the bubble of Brazil’s World Cup squad as a result.

“He’s absolutely a bargain because he’s had a huge effect on the team and the club,” Howe told The Northern Echo earlier this month. “I’ve coached some really good individuals, but he would be right up there. He’s an incredible talent and an incredible person. We love him to bits, and we’re enjoying watching him, coaching him and playing a part in his development.

“It’s an amazing thing for us to have him, it’s not just the player, it’s the person as well. I can’t say how good a person he is, he’s a pleasure to coach and be around. He’s a really positive person, an energiser, and someone I love to coach and be with. I think everyone here connected with the club – me, the players, the supporters – absolutely love him.”

It’s easy to see why Guimarães became so popular so quickly on Tyneside. Let’s start with his standout quality, ball distribution, and work down the list. The Rio-born midfielder is an elite passer, who has amassed 1,934 minutes of Premier League experience – mainly as a single-pivot. He is primarily responsible for directing traffic on the transition, shifting play from defence to attack with Newcastle’s first line-breaking play.