Alan Shearer has waxed-lyrical about one-time Arsenal transfer target Bruno Guimaraes and how he is Newcastle United’s ‘Player of the Season’.
The Newcastle United legend stated that the 25-year-old was ‘brave’ to join the club for £40 million (Sky Sports) during the January transfer window of 2022 because they were in a relegation battle.
It was even suggested at the time that the Magpies beat Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to his signature, after he swapped the colours of Lyon to move to the Premier League.
From the get-go, Bruno Guimaraes became a fan favourite with the Toon Army faithful because of his outstanding qualities on the ball and just his pure desire to play the game like it is his last.
That’s priceless to see for the supporters and, win, lose or draw, then you are always going to be in their good books.
That was touched upon by Shearer, who admitted that the ‘big boys around Europe’, are still probably looking at Newcastle’s star midfielder, as he told Premier League Productions (07/05/23 at 4:00 pm).
“He’s probably been Newcastle’s Player of the Season,” said Shearer. “It was a big call from him to come to Newcastle when he did because there was a live chance that they could have been relegated.
“So, it was a brave decision for him to join Newcastle. The crowd took to him straight away. He has taken to Newcastle. You can tell from everything he says and does that he loves the area already.
“What he has given Newcastle, in terms of his ability, is his desire to go and take that ball when under pressure is perfect. They haven’t had a player like this for a long time in the midfield. He says ‘give me the ball and I will set you on the front foot’. Not with his drive or his ability to run with the ball, but probably more importantly his ability to pass the ball in any situation.
“I have no doubt that the big boys around Europe have and will be looking at what he had done for Newcastle. He really has been exceptional. The crowd love how aggressive he is. How on the front foot he gets Newcastle. He has been magnificent and great to watch.”
GUIMARAES IS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALITY
Unless there is a major slip-up, the Magpies should be in the Champions League for next season.
It would be a great achievement from the club given that, their long-term aim was to play against the elite, not reach that level in Eddie Howe’s first full season in charge.
Either way, when it comes to a player like Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, then they already have three players who are already Champions League-worthy.
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