As the Qatar World Cup is set to begin next week, Newcastle United will be all smiles about sitting pretty as high as in 3rd place in the Premier League.
Keeping the Magpies’ tremendous rise to the top in mind, we have ranked the club’s 5 best performers 14 games into the league season in our latest Power Rankings.
1.(+3) Bruno Guimaraes rises to the top in our Power Rankings as he thrives in a deeper role
Upon his arrival from Lyon in January, Bruno Guimaraes was often deployed as a No.8 as he made an instant impression at St. James’ Park.
However, the Brazilian international has exclusively operated as an out-and-out defensive midfielder this season and arguably unlocked a new level in terms of his displays for Eddie Howe’s side.
At the base of midfield, the 24-year-old’s standout traits have perhaps been highlighted a lot more in comparison to when he was parked up further up the pitch, such as his ability to dictate the tempo of games, win a whole host of duels and keep things ticking.
Bruno Guimaraes is both the brains and the brawns of this high-flying Newcastle side, which has naturally meant he has grabbed the headlines for all the right reasons this term.
And whilst functioning as a sitting midfielder, Guimaraes has still managed to register 3 goals and 2 assists in the league.
To the extent where many have gone as far as to crown the Rio de Janeiro-born lynchpin as the best No.6 in the Premier League this season.
Keeping in the mind the fact that players of the ilk of Rodri, Casemiro and Thomas Partey are in said conversations, the fact that Bruno Guimaraes can rub shoulders with them and perhaps even have outperformed such stalwarts is why he is a justified pick as our No.1.
2. (+3) Kieran Trippier jumps to second spot after making a claim for being the Premier League’s best right-back
While many will instant put forth Reece James’ name as the standout right-back in the division, his recent injury woes have perhaps catapulted Kieran Trippier to claim top spot for the title.
Much like the Chelsea phenomenon, the Newcastle captain also deserves his plaudits for ticking virtually every box in his game.
From an offensive standpoint, the Englishman can conjure something out of nothing. Case in point, the 32-year old’s impeccable free-kick against Manchester City or his stunning through ball to set up Joe Willock’s strike in their recent 4-1 clobbering of Southampton.
Defensively, Trippier is a headache for even some of the most feared wingers in the country, and is spearheading a backline that has conceded the joint-least goals (11) in the league so far.
There is a strong case to be made for the former Atletico Madrid defender to finally be associated with the ‘world-class’ tag, as he seems to be playing the best football of his career this season.
Considering Kieran Trippier is unquestionable one of the very best in his position, he deserved to jump up three places in our latest Power Rankings.
3. (+6) Almiron takes a massive jump after his fairytale redemption arc
With 8 goals to his name in the Premier League this campaign, Miguel Almiron has managed to outscore every winger in the division.
And a majority of Almiron’s strikes have been screamers. with his marvellous volley against Fulham perhaps being the goal of the season so far.
The Paraguayan international has backed up his tireless workrate and searing pace with end product for days, as he has a shout for being the best right winger in the league.
The former Atlanta United forward has caused mayhem for defences around the country, as many remain dumbfounded about how he has managed to hit such incredible heights this term.
All one can do is applaud Miguel Almiron for his heroics, as he has earned 3rd spot in our Power Rankings.
4. (+7) Sven Botman catapults to 4th place after transforming Newcastle’s defence
Since setting foot on English soil, the Dutch defender has made the best league on the planet arguably at the peak of its powers look like his very own playground.
Going back to Newcastle’s enviable defensive record, Sven Botman is at the epicentre of his side’s impregnable core at the back.
At just 22 years of age, the former Lille colossus’ reading of the game and the timing of his tackles are akin to a seasoned veteran that has dominated the Premier League for years on end at this point.
Botman has managed to marry his superb defensive awareness with his sublime ball-playing ability, which is evidently a holy matrimony when witnessing him in all his glory as he bullies attacks at will.
One would argue that the Ligue 1 champion has even managed to elevate Fabian Schar’s game, which is one of the countless factors that prove why he has been a revelation for Newcastle since his arrival.
For said number of reasons, no player in our Power Rankings was on the receiving end of a bigger bump than the elegant centre-half himself.
5. (-4) Nick Pope drops down three spots, despite being the bargain of the season
First things first, it is laughable how no other club in the Premier League decided to snap up a goalkeeper of Nick Pope’s quality for a measly £10 million (Sky Sports) fee in the summer.
The England international has been unsurprisingly brilliance since joining Eddie Howe’s side, with his terrific shotstopping standing out in particular.
The former Burnley No.1 is the embodiment of the fact that it is a non-negotiable for any top goalkeeper not to be a master of the basics.
And as we’ve all feasted our eyes on Pope at St. James’ Park, facets such as commanding his area and knowing when to sweep and when to stay on his line are boxes he might as well tick in his sleep at this point.
Level with fellow countryman Aaron Ramsdale in terms of keeping the most clean sheets (7) in the league, Nick Pope continues to make that £10 million fee look like the ultimate steal.
Unfortunately for Pope, some of his fellow teammates have simply hit bigger heights since our previous edition of Newcastle’s Power Rankings.
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