After a summer of Bruno Guimaraes being linked with a big-money move to Manchester City, he decided to stay loyal to Newcastle United and was subsequently rewarded with the captain’s armband.
Guimaraes seemed like the answer to City’s search for a deputy to Rodri, who went on to suffer a season-ending ACL injury.
Manchester City have trialled the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan as makeshift defensive midfielders to no avail, with the Spaniard’s injury proving to be a hammer blow for them this season.
On Friday, a report surfaced that Manchester City could bid for Guimaraes in the January transfer window.
Guimaraes acknowledged Pep Guardiola’s interest and appreciated the fact that he caught Manchester City’s eye but reiterated his intention to stay at St. James’ Park in November.
But after Newcastle’s latest 4-2 defeat against Brentford, the former Lyon technician admitted that his side have had a very underwhelming season, languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table. Guimaraes told the Magpies’ in-house media: “Our season, being honest has been very, very disappointing.”
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“We have not been consistent. So, we have not found the consistency. We cannot play against Liverpool, Arsenal, top six, one way and the other team, the other way, which is what is exactly happening. We have to fix it.”
“It’s a shame to every game, come here and give the excuses because we cannot play the same way we have been playing. You have to be consistent if you want to be in European football again.”
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United (39) arrives for the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community S...
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle expecting January Bruno Guimaraes bid from Man City
A report has emerged on talkSPORT that Newcastle are “braced for” a bid from Manchester City for Guimaraes in the January transfer window.
It is believed that Eddie Howe’s side are under pressure of selling players, with the midfield enforcer and Alexander Isak being their two prized assets.
Otherwise, Newcastle could risk breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Manchester City internally feel that in order for them to resurrect their disappointing season, replacing Rodri is imperative.
As Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension until 2027, City are ready to back him in the winter window.
In August, Manchester City felt Guimaraes’ interest remained in a move to the Etihad Stadium but deemed a possible move for him as a backup to Rodri in the summer as overpriced.
Guimaraes vs Rodri stats
Considering both Guimaraes and Rodri play in the same holding midfield position, it would be fair to conduct a statistical comparison between both players.
STATS PER 90 OVER PAST 365 DAYS RODRI GUIMARAES
PASSES ATTEMPTED 113.77 58.66
PASS COMPLETION 91.3% 82.7%
PROGRESSIVE PASSES 12.37 7.67
TACKLES 2.26 2.47
AERIALS WON 1.67 0.42
INTERCEPTIONS 0.63 1.12
SHOT CREATING ACTIONS 4.78 3.98
Via FbRef (Rodri) and FbRef (Guimaraes)
Both players play in vastly different tactical setups.
As a result, while Rodri’s metrics in possession are expected to be higher due to Manchester City dominating more of the ball than Newcastle, Guimaraes’ out-of-possession statistics are superior due to the same reason.
However, the numbers paint a picture of the types of defensive midfielders both players are.
Whether City amp up their potential interest in Guimaraes and reckon his game can scale up to playing for a much superior side will be the difficult decision they will have to take.
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