Bruno Guimaraes has proved to be a “bargain” for Newcastle United, says Eddie Howe, who admits he cannot believe the club landed the midfielder without spending more.
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The Brazilian played a starring role in Saturday’s win over Brentford, scoring twice and further underlining his hero status on Tyneside.
A hugely influential figure during the second half of last season following a reported £40m move from Lyon, the 24-year-old proved decisive once more in a 5-1 win, scoring the opener before taking the game away from Brentford with a wonderfully individual goal minutes after Ivan Toney’s penalty.
Guimaraes’ brace takes him up to seven goals and two assists in 24 appearances for the club, while his impact runs much deeper than merely those direct goal contributions.
Indeed, as WhoScored data notes, the Brazil international registered two key passes (the second-highest number on the pitch), completed one dribble (behind only Allan Saint-Maximin), made four tackles (the joint-highest) and one clearance. An all action display from a player who still had the quality to drive forward and score from range.
Certainly, it’s difficult to argue with Howe’s assertion that Guimaraes’ price tag has proved a bargain. Without his arrival in central midfield last winter, who knows if Newcastle would have been able to stay up? Two of his five goals during his first few months at the club directly won points and it’s difficult to truly do justice to how big his impact has been.
Having not even asked for a relegation clause when swapping a Champions League-level side for a club in a relegation battle midway through a season, Guimaraes is rightly firmly established as Newcastle’s new hero.
What did Howe say of Guimaraes?
Speaking to the Press Association after the game, Howe said: “I find it difficult with that number, but I would say that he’s a bargain in today’s current climate.
“He’s absolutely a bargain because he’s had a huge effect on the team and the club. In today’s market, that is a relatively modest sum – which I can’t really believe I’m saying – but it is.
“It’s an amazing thing for us to have him, it’s not just the player, it’s the person as well. I can’t say how good a person he is.
“He’s a pleasure to coach and be around. He’s a really positive person, an energiser and someone I love to coach and be with. I think everyone here connected with the club – me, the players, the supporters – absolutely love him.”
