How box-to-box Bruno Guimaraes can bolster Newcastle

Newcastle United have finally landed Bruno Guimaraes, a midfielder with all the attributes to spearhead the Magpies' push for Premier League survival.

The Brazil international has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at St James' Park, joining from Ligue 1 side Lyon for an undisclosed fee. He will wear shirt number 39 - the number of the taxi once driven by his father.

With the deal finally completed, Sky Sports' Jack Wilkinson explains why the qualities Guimaraes will bring to Eddie Howe's squad at St James' Park are not in question…

Guimaraes moved to Lyon in January 2020 and went on to play 295 minutes in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, as the French club famously beat Italian champions Juventus and then English champions Man City before being knocked out by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the last four.

Guimaraes' heatmap from that Champions League campaign illustrates he is a defensive midfielder by trade, but also a player with the attributes and hunger to venture forward whenever the opportunity arises.

In addition, his combative qualities have been right up there with the best in Ligue 1 this season, where he ranks fourth for duels won, eighth for tackles, and is joint-sixth for possession won in the middle third.

Guimaraes ranks 25th for possession won back in the attacking third, an impressive additional quality for a defence-minded midfielder which speaks volumes for his ability to press all over the pitch.

Guimaraes, who has been capped at international level by Brazil, comes into his own when his attacking qualities are examined. Not limited to merely carrying out defensive midfield duties, he is as effective in the opposition half and attacking areas, if not more effective.

Guimaraes tops