NEWCASTLE: Bruno Guimaraes is Newcastle United’s Premier League “bargain,” that’s the view of head coach Eddie Howe.
The 24-year-old was instrumental as the Magpies recorded their second emphatic top flight win on the bounce at St. James’ Park on Saturday, hammering Brentford 5-1. Guimaraes netted the first and crucial third in the encounter.
The Magpies have spent more than $200million in the last two transfer windows, with around 20 percent of that splashed on Brazil international Guimaraes.
And despite the incredible sum it cost to land Bruno from French outfit Lyon, Howe believes in today’s transfer market, United have netted themselves a steal.
“I find it difficult with that number, but yes he is. In the current climate he is absolutely a bargain,” said Howe.
“He has had a huge effect on the club and team. And in today’s market that is a relatively modest sum, even though I can’t believe I am saying that.”
When asked whether Guimaraes is the best player he’s ever played with or coached, Howe joked: “That makes me laugh — play with? No disrespect to anyone I played with, bar maybe Jermain Defoe in his early days was incredible. But there is no one like him.
“Coaching, I have coached some good individuals, but he would be right up there. An incredible talent, an incredible person. We love him to bits, enjoying watching him, coaching him and playing a part in his development.”
An almost flawless display from the player, set to star for his nation in Qatar this winter, was cut short midway through the second period, which was a cause for concern among the United faithful, who serenaded the player as he walked off.
However, Howe admits he was protecting the player’s fitness, rather than taking him off due to injury.
Howe said: “I said to him to run himself out and once he was done let me know.
“Again, I think the beauty of Bruno is he won’t let the team down when he gets to the point of being done.
“He’s obviously building up his fitness levels after his injury. He took responsibility for that to let me know so I could withdraw him.”
United climbed to fifth in the top flight table with the win and have done so by only conceding nine in their first nine games and losing just once.
However, it still feels like there’s more to come from this team.
Howe said: “There is definitely more to come because I think there are elements of our game we are not happy with. But that will always be the case under my eye, as I want perfection.
“The goal that went to VAR was maybe the jolt we needed. The first goal is always important and we got it.”
And on his match-winner, he concluded: “It takes very good players to effect games and I thought Bruno did throughout.
“The finish for the third goal was excellent because he had players outside him and he decided to take responsibility. It was a great finish.”
Goal hero Bruno Guimaraes a ‘bargain,’ says Newcastle boss Howe
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Goal hero Bruno Guimaraes a ‘bargain,’ says Newcastle boss Howe
- The Magpies have spent more than $200million in the last two transfer windows, with around 20 percent of that splashed on Brazil international
Chelsea paid for costly errors in Arsenal defeat, says Rosenior
LONDON: Liam Rosenior admitted Chelsea paid the price for costly mistakes after Arsenal took advantage of his side’s blunders to win 3-2 in the League Cup semifinal first leg on Wednesday.
Rosenior’s team face a tough task to set up a final against either Manchester City or Newcastle following their error-strewn display in their new manager’s first home match.
Chelsea were guilty of sloppy marking for Ben White’s early headed opener before goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted striker Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal after half-time.
Alejandro Garnacho got one back for Chelsea but Martin Zubimendi then netted for Arsenal after more lacklustre defending from Rosenior’s men.
Substitute Garnacho’s second goal gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in February.
“Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment,” Rosenior said.
“We switched off from a restart from a central free-kick but I can’t fault the players.
“We need to make sure we perform well individually and we don’t concede as many goals.”
Rosenior was without a host of key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Liam Delap, due to injuries and illness.
‘It’s another step’
In his second game since replacing Enzo Maresca as Blues boss, the 41-year-old took heart from the way Chelsea kept fighting to find a way back into the tie.
“We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week but what the squad has shown is that they are willing to run and fight for each other,” he said.
Rosenior, who oversaw a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win at Charlton in his debut last weekend, refused to condemn Sanchez for the latest in a long line of shaky performances.
“Rob’s a very good goalkeeper. He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie, so for me load of things to improve but the overall attitude of the team I liked,” Rosenior said.
“Hopefully, we get a few bodies back for Brentford on Saturday.”
Arsenal are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions as they moved a step closer to their first silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
The Gunners had lost their previous four semifinals across a variety of competitions, including the League Cup last year.
Mikel Arteta was impressed with Arsenal’s ability to subdue Chelsea for long periods, but he was left to rue their failure to kill off their London rivals.
“I have to praise the players for the performance against a really good opponents. It’s a really tough place to come. That’s why I really value what the team has done again,” Arteta said.
“We had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different. At that moment they created a chance and scored a goal. So it is a very different feeling. It’s game on.”
As well as leading the Premier League, Arsenal are also still chasing Champions League and FA Cup glory.
But after so many last-four failures in the recent past, Arteta won’t take anything for granted.
“It’s another step. It’s just half-time. We know the big fight we are going to have at the Emirates in a few weeks because they are a top side,” he said.
“What we’re doing every three days is impressive.”
