£34 million Bruno Guimaraes has ‘astounded’ his Newcastle United team-mates since swapping Lyon for the Premier League, as reported by The Athletic.
Of Newcastle’s five January arrivals, the most expensive and high-profile of the lot is the one who’s found game-time hard to come by under Eddie Howe.
While Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett slotted straight into the Magpies’ backline – proving to be immediate upgrades on the likes of Emil Krafth, Javier Manquillo and Jamaal Lascelles – Guimaraes has had to be content with the odd cameo appearance off the bench thus far.
The Brazil international has played just four minutes across three Premier League games.
But, despite those limited opportunities, Guimaraes has still found the time to show those expectant Newcastle supporters what all the fuss is about.
A brief burst of acceleration. The odd pinpoint pass. A gasp-inducing backheel in the dying seconds of that transformative 3-1 victory over Everton.
“One of the lads said to me, ‘Honestly, just wait until you see this boy play’,” an agent with close ties to Newcastle tells The Athletic.
“We knew he was talented but, genuinely, this lad is seriously good.”
What’s more, Guimaraes’ performances in training have left his Newcastle team-mates ‘astounded’.
When will Bruno Guimaraes make his full debut for Newcastle?
One suspects, when Howe figures out a way to get the former Atletico Paranaense player in his starting XI, those on the St James’ terraces will quickly discover why Newcastle identified Guimaraes as the ideal marquee signing to herald a bold new era on the banks of the Tyne.
But where does Guimaraes fit in? Howe has already acknowledged that dropping Joe Willock, Joelinton or Jonjo Shelvey, given their current form, would be more than a little unfair.
Then again, you won’t find many managers willing to sympathise with Howe’s new-found selection headache.
There’s not many, even in the Premier League, enjoying the luxury of being able to leave a £34 million Brazil international on the bench after all.
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