Paul Merson has claimed that Bruno Guimaraes ‘looks a player’ for Newcastle United, as he told Sky Sports News.
The January signing is yet to start a game for Newcastle, but he did get a half an hour run out during his side’s win at Brentford.
Before Guimaraes arrived, the Magpies couldn’t even win a game for love, nor money.
But, since then, their performances have gone to a different level and they are remarkably unbeaten under Eddie Howe since December.
Nonetheless, with Guimaraes spending more time on the pitch over the weekend, this is what Merson made of the player.
“Not really (got the chance to impress v Brentford),” said Merson. “He did one piece of good magic, got the ball, opened up and he tried to bend it in the far corner and it went wide.
“He looks a player. When you watch players play, you can see the ones who can play and he does look the part.
“But, at the moment, Jonjoe Shelvey is playing well. He kept it ticking in there. Keeps spraying the ball around.”
Only a couple of months ago, Newcastle couldn’t win a game of football, nevermind have top-quality players on the bench.
Now, added with Howe’s magic, a player like Guimaraes can’t even earn a start despite being at the club for a month and it’s largely down to Jonjoe Shelvey’s form.
A number of players, including the Englishman, have transformed under Howe.
Joelinton has probably been the biggest winner and is probably headed towards being the club’s Player of the Season… and that for his performances in the middle of the park.
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