Why Guimaraes is Newcastle's heartbeat

[Getty Images] Bruno Guimaraes tellingly emerged with credit following Newcastle United's bruising 2025-26 domestic campaign. The Magpies slipped to 12th place in the Premier League, but they would have been in a far worse position without their player of the year. Having worked with the coaching staff on getting further up the field, and anticipating where the ball will fall inside the box, Guimaraes even finished as Newcastle's top scorer in the Premier League with nine goals. He scored openers against Nottingham Forest, Burnley , Tottenham and Crystal Palace as Newcastle picked up 10 points from a possible 12. His mentality also shone through with a number of late goals at St James' Park, including a 90th-minute winner against Fulham and a stoppage-time penalty equaliser versus Leeds United in a topsy-turvy match Newcastle went on to win. Guimaraes' ability to make things happen has long been invaluable to head coach Eddie Howe. Although he missed a chunk of the season through injury, Guimaraes still ranked in the top five players across the league for defensive line-breaking passes (46) and through balls (21). He also led the way at Newcastle for passes under high-intensity pressure (998), which illustrates how he relishes responsibility. Yet there are also intangibles that can't simply be measured in data. Guimaraes has a deep bond with Newcastle supporters, which has evidently driven him on, as season ticket-holder Adam Stoker explained: "We saw his reaction after the [2025 EFL] cup final, when he was crying, and that amazing interview he did post-match when the words he spoke in that moment almost summed it up better than any actual Geordie could have. "I hate to say it generally, but he just gets it. "It does feel like he's become completely immersed in the club, the city and the region. "I don't think I've ever known anyone have this much rapport with supporters. The only person you can put him in the same stratosphere as is [Alan] Shearer." Read more about Newcastle wanting to keep hold of Guimaraes despite Arsenal interest here