£12m Newcastle star 'keeping Guimaraes out of starting XI right now'

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is doing something right to keep Magpies new boy Bruno Guimaraes out of the team, says journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Guimaraes joined the Tyneside club for big money in January but has not yet managed to oust any of his team-mates out of the starting XI.

Shelvey has been a key player for manager Eddie Howe since he arrived at St James’ Park, and the 30-year-old could now be in line for a new contract.

According to The Telegraph, Shelvey is likely to be handed an extension, with his current deal set to expire next year.

He has played 13 times under Howe this season, captaining the team in recent fixtures against Brentford and West Ham, so is quite clearly an individual his boss trusts.

As a result, Guimaraes, who joined from Lyon for an initial £35m fee, has found starts at his new club hard to come by.

The Brazilian is yet to be named in the starting XI by Howe and has so far had to make do with cameos from off the bench.

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O’Rourke thinks Shelvey is doing well to retain his spot in the team ahead of Guimaraes and has praised Howe for sticking with players that are currently in form.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: “He’s obviously doing something right because he’s keeping Guimaraes out of the starting line up right now.

“Big-money arrival with lots of expectation in the January transfer window, but to be fair to Eddie Howe, he’s keeping with players in form and keeping them in the team, so fair play to him.”

There is no doubting that. While Shelvey, who joined Newcastle from Swansea City for £12m back in 2016, is doing well now, it is hard to imagine Guimaraes not ousting him or another