Bruno Guimaraes was the perfect January signing to kickstart a Newcastle United revolution

Harry De Cosemo
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates his goal

Newcastle were in a state before a substance over style January transfer window saved them. Bruno Guimaraes was a nod to what was promised.

 

While everything around him was geared towards safety and security, Bruno Guimaraes was thinking big. The Brazilian midfielder felt like something of an anomaly at St James’ Park when he arrived in the January transfer window, immediately greeted by the grim reality of what could go wrong if the new Saudi Arabia-led consortium – fresh from their takeover – got things wrong.

Relegation wasn’t just possible but probable. The lingering stench of minimalism left by the previous regime on Tyneside had made things difficult, both in the boardroom and the dugout, where Eddie Howe had replaced perpetual finger pointer Steve Bruce. Newcastle had won just one game in the first half of the season. Howe promised much but his lack of immediate impact had started to attract criticism. Within the winter window itself, as the club worked hard to find the right players to navigate the most precarious of positions – it took 14 games for that victory to arrive, and no Premier League team had ever survived with stats as poor as that – things got even worse. There was a humiliating home defeat in the FA Cup to League One Cambridge United, followed immediately by a demoralising late equaliser against Watford. Things were bleak; inspiration was needed.

Almost everybody, including those making the decisions, believed the correct approach was to sign tried and tested Premier League pedigree. Of course, Kieran Trippier was an English international and the first choice right-back for Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, but he was also a steadfast defender who had done the hard yards in the Football League and battled relegation with Burnley. Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Matt Targett all followed. There was a theme developing: substance over style.


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Quite understandably, the hyperbole had been swirling over Newcastle’s newfound riches, both in terms of what it could mean on the pitch and for football’s moral compass. Everybody was expecting fireworks, a statement to ignite the new era that could see the Magpies challenging for league titles and dominating Europe. But if that weas even on the horizon, the message was simple: first, we have a job to do. Anything else can wait.

Then along came Bruno. If January was mostly about solving inherited problems, then his signing was a nod to what was promised. One running critique before, during and immediately after the window was that anybody who joined Newcastle would be doing so purely for financial gain. With Arsenal and Juventus reportedly interested in Guimaraes, who instead left a Europa League campaign behind to be thrust into the relegation furnace, that was seen as a fair argument to be pressed against him. But the 24-year-old instantly spoke about the longevity of his aims at Newcastle, the fact that there were plans in place to turn the club into a superpower, and his desire to become a legend. He represented smart business in every sense, clearly embodying the brashness that was expected from the start, and the idea of quick progress, while not decimating transfer records and wage structures.

There is a relatability about Guimaraes which further whetted the fans’ appetite after the initial buzz of excitement when the rumours began to build. He wears number 39 at Newcastle in homage to the number of his father’s taxi back in Brazil, but the reason such a special bond with supporters is forming is down to his performances on the pitch. It has taken time to assert himself because of the form which he has latterly contributed to. Newcastle have won 10 Premier League games in 2022 – more than in the entirety of 2021 – and only Saturday’s opponents Liverpool have amassed more points than their 32 since the turn of the year. When he first emerged, it took him time to usurp Joe Willock, a reborn Joelinton, who has thrived in a deeper role under Howe, and Jonjo Shelvey. Now he is the first name on the team sheet.

Bruno is Newcastle’s x-factor. The upturn in form has been down to collective improvement, work ethic and tactical growth, but he has taken everything to a new level. It started with a five-minute debut cameo against Everton in February, which contained little more than a flash of genius in the corner as Newcastle played out a potentially season-turning victory. But it was his goal and overall performance at Southampton that really caught the eye. Then came a man-of-the-match showing against Wolves, a match-winning display against Leicester, a sublime assist for Miguel Almiron’s winner against Crystal Palace and those key touches and the understated manner in which he utterly dominated Norwich City at Carrow Road last weekend.

His goal, a scoop over Tim Krul after latching onto a loose pass from the Dutchman, took the headlines, but it was the way he held himself and always looked to play the ball forward with effortless style that truly represented his impact. Newcastle were a team with no identity, hopelessly trudging through games, scared of the ball and taking control; Bruno has given them a foothold and a base from which to build upon. Unfazed by the fight and the rigours of English football, he has shone as a number six or number eight, leaving fans scratching their heads over the last time they’d seen such quality in a black and white shirt.

This is only the beginning for Newcastle; they are in the top half of the Premier League in what looked like being their most traumatic season to date. Building blocks have to be put in place. The culture still needs to change further. But with their new Brazilian pacesetter, they have made the perfect start.