Emil Krafth whispers to Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United after the win over Chelsea
Newcastle United skipper Bruno Guimaraes was questioned when taking the captain's armband last summer by some observers.
However, the Brazil international has proven to be the most successful skipper since Bob Moncur and has managed to eclipse other great leaders like Alan Shearer, Rob Lee and Fabricio Coloccini. In lifting the club's first piece of silverware since 1969, Bruno is already a club legend but now he can emulate Shearer by guiding Newcastle to the Champions League.
The South American watched on as Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles did the honours two years ago but now has his sights on an other huge prize. And the midfielder has lifted the lid on his team talk just before the 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
It was a speech that led to a match-winning performance that had Chelsea well and truly rattled with Enzo Fernández spotted wagging his finger at Bruno late in the game, unable to cope with United's intensity. The Brazilian and the Argentine had gone head to head in a South American clash but Guimaraes came out on top, with his late goal sealing the win.
He told reporters after the game: "I said to the guys that apart from the Carabao Cup Final, this is the most important game of the season. It was a six-point game.
"We took a big step but we have two more to go but our mentality since the beginning means we have seen this game as a final. I was just being Bruno in other words. They know me well."
It has been one of Bruno's jobs to ensure that standards have not dropped since Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final. Since then Newcastle have won six, drawn one and lost one and could yet finish second in the table.
Guimaraes added: "My message for the boys is of course we won the cup, it was massive for us, but it’s not enough. We want more. We want to play Champions League next season.
"It's not a secret. We want more for this club. We have to dream big and start from here. Start by winning the cup, then to qualify for the Champions League and I think the future is bright for this club."
For Bruno, playing in the Champions League has always been on his wish-list and there can be no doubt his bright future will be on Tyneside with talk of a move to Man City and Arsenal seemingly in the rearview mirror. The Brazilian was heavily linked with a switch last summer but is committed and dedicated to the Newcastle cause.
He said: "Ever since I signed I always show my intention to play in the Champions League. We’re close, but it's not enough. We have two games to go.
"But today we're very happy, it means a lot for me and for the club. We’re all so hungry for more."