Sport
Newcastle United must find a way to cope without Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes could only watch from the stands as Newcastle United limply suffered a home defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. What was a big opportunity for the Magpies to take a big step forward towards a top five finish became another sign of how Eddie Howe’s team still can’t be considered among the very best in the Premier League.
The result continued an unwanted pattern for Newcastle. Somewhat unbelievably, they have taken just five points from a possible 27 in matches they have played without Guimaraes in the lineup since the Brazilian first arrived on Tyneside nearly four years ago. Their dependance on the midfielder is clear.
“You lose a lot when a player like that isn’t available,” said Newcastle manager Howe after the damaging defeat to Aston Villa, highlighting the obvious absence of Guimaraes in the centre of the pitch. “But we can’t rely on one player. We do have to find a way of winning without him.”
Guimaraes has long been considered one of Newcastle’s best players and it’s natural that a team would be worse off for the absence of someone like the Brazilian. Nonetheless, the Magpies’ record without Guimaraes in the team says something broader about their limitations as an outfit.
On their day, Newcastle are a force of nature. They are capable of out-running and out-fighting any opponent on their day, especially at St James’ Park where the home fans get right behind their side. When Newcastle aren’t able to play in quick transition, though, they can be found lacking.
This is where Aston Villa were able to expose the hosts on Sunday. Unai Emery’s team are just as devastating in quick transition and they did a better job of attacking open space than their opponents, setting up with a front four of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia and Jadon Sancho that pinned Newcastle back.
Without Guimaraes on the pitch, Newcastle couldn’t control the game. As Howe noted, “I just thought we missed Bruno’s forward thinking. He always wants to pass forward and is always looking for a creative pass. You could see we missed that today. He always wants the ball and he’s always demanding the ball from his team-mates.”
Even when Guimaraes is involved, Newcastle aren’t always the most proactive team in central midfield. Their central trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Guimaraes can match any opponent for physicality, but they aren’t always the most tactile in terms of their use of possession.
Newcastle are hitting their head on the Premier League’s glass ceiling. This is partly due to the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but Howe and the decision-makers at St James’ Park have also failed to evolve the team beyond a specific playing style. Without Guimaraes, they are one-dimensional.
The January transfer window is open, meaning Newcastle could enter the market to give themselves more midfield options. The likes of Lamine Camara, Nathan De Cat and Alex Scott have been linked with a move to the North East, hinting at a desire from the club to bulk up Howe’s squad.
Finding someone good enough to deputise for Guimaraes, however, won’t be easy. The Brazilian is one of the most accomplished midfield operators in the Premier League and will be back in the Newcastle starting lineup as soon as he is fit again. Sunday’s game against Aston Villa might have panned out differently had he played.
Newcastle’s struggles without him, though, says something about their failure to join the true elite in the Premier League despite technically being the richest club in the world. Whether it’s with Guimaraes on the pitch or not, an evolution must take place for Howe’s side to meaningfully improve.
