Man Utd and Chelsea missed the boat on Bruno Guimaraes
Robin Bairner
- 10 Oct 2022 11:05 BST
- 13 min read
Manchester United and Chelsea are among the Premier League sides in need of a midfielder, and though the perfect solution to their problem is close at hand, they find him out of reach.
Bruno Guimaraes continues to perform wonders for Newcastle since joining from Lyon last January as the first marquee signing of the Saudi Arabian era at St James’ Park.
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The 24-year-old impressed during his two-year spell in France and has simply continued that momentum since arriving in England. The box-to-box midfielder has already scored seven times for the Magpies in just 24 appearances, while he has laid on two more goals. He is thriving in role he has been given an is already a firm favourite in the north east.
Indeed, he had impressed so much that by the summer, he was already being eyed by Real Madrid as a possible replacement for Casemiro. Of course, no deal was done, with Bruno already a keystone of the Magpies’ project.
Bruno Guimaraes vs Premier League central midfielders: 2022/23
On Saturday, he produced arguably his best performance yet for Newcastle as he scored twice in a 5-1 destruction of Brentford at home. It was a complete performance form the dynamic central midfielder, who won possession, created chances and, of course, carried a goal threat.
Bruno is already starting to look one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League – and crucially for Newcastle, a building block as they attempt to establish themselves as one of the biggest teams on the planet.
While this is great news for the Geordies, it means that others should be looking on enviously. Man Utd and Chelsea, in particular, are craving an additional midfielder and the skillset that Bruno possesses means that he would have been ideal for either club.
Bruno could have been perfect at Man Utd or Chelsea
He may not be the controlling presence that Erik ten Hag ideally wants at Old Trafford, but as a foil for a player like Frenkie de Jong, he would be a significant upgrade on the likes of Scott McTominay and a longer-term solution than Casemiro.
At Chelsea, meanwhile, there is uncertainty over he future of N’Golo Kante, whose injury record is providing cause for concern. Bruno may not be a pure defensive player like the ex-Leicester man, but there is little doubt that his tigerish qualities and dynamism would be welcomed at Stamford Bridge.
How both teams – and United in particular – must regret not being bolder with the Lyon star.
He will not, of course, make either move. Under contract with Newcastle until 2030, his career is destined to be spent at St James’ Park, where he hopes his development will go hand-in-hand with the Magpies becoming a force to challenge the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea once again.
