Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali conundrum – Eddie Howe speaks ahead of Arsenal match

The Mag

·1 November 2024

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali conundrum – Eddie Howe speaks ahead of Arsenal match

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, how do you best fit them into the same midfield, if indeed at all?

That is the question for many Newcastle United fans.

OneFootball Videos

Still early days of course, as due to the near year-long suspension, the Italy international has only started nine Premier League matches so far.

With the Newcastle United side having struggled for consistency this season, both as a team and as individuals in most cases, it is impossible to judge what could be possible with time. With players missing through injury and suspension this season, that has further complicated matters, as the midfield and indeed entire NUFC team attempt to play towards a higher level of quality.

When it comes to time of course, no Premier League manager has a great deal of it to play with, including Eddie Howe.

The demand for results, not just performances, always ever present.

Wednesday night against Chelsea saw a rare rest for Bruno Guimaraes and the chance for a bit of a different look midfield.

Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock all starting.

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali playing together once the Brazil international replaced Willock with half an hour to go and the pair seeing out the victory and clean sheet together, as Tonali only subbed off in added time.

So what about tomorrow against Arsenal and indeed beyond?

Eddie Howe asked about his midfield options ahead of facing Arsenal, especially the conundrum of fitting both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali into the same team:

“All options are open.

“Sandro Tonali can definitely play both positions, whether it be higher or lower, that is why we recruited him in a way, because he had that versatility.

“We didn’t want to sign one player for one position.

“We needed that flexibility, especially going into that Champions League season that we faced.

“I think Bruno Guimaraes is slightly more complex in terms of where he plays, because I think he has natural strengths, where he gravitates to the ball and always wants to be on the ball, and that is his biggest strength.

“Playing him away from the ball is different for him.

“So that is something we will look at.

“I think good players can play anywhere, so let’s see.”

Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon

Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

W/C Monday 16 December – Newcastle v Brentford