The Rise of Bruno Guimaraes: Why Europe’s Top Clubs Want Lyon’s Midfield Maestro
Over the past several years, the role of the defensive midfielder has come under the spotlight in elite football circles. Players like N’Golo Kanté, Jorginho, Rodri, Fabinho, and Joshua Kimmich have demonstrated how a great holding midfielder can dictate both attacking and defensive phases. These players, along with emerging stars such as Declan Rice, are considered indispensable to their teams. Despite this new appreciation, finding a truly top-tier defensive midfielder remains a tall order, with a significant gulf in talent and hype between the best and the rest.
Currently, every major club is searching for a player who can either reinforce their midfield or transform their tactical approach. While names like Rice and Yves Bissouma are regularly linked with high-profile moves, another standout talent has entered the conversation: Bruno Guimaraes, the Brazilian engine at the heart of Olympique Lyonnais. Here we explore what makes Guimaraes such a sought-after figure among Europe’s football elite.
Key Attributes and Style of Play
Bruno Guimaraes operates as the archetype of a modern defensive midfielder, frequently deployed as a versatile number 6 or 8 in Lyon’s double pivot, whether in Peter Bosz’s 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 formations. He is a complete midfielder—adept at winning tackles, threading incisive passes, remaining composed under pressure, and orchestrating play from deep.
Statistical comparisons highlight his similarity to established stars such as Fernandinho, Mateo Kovacic, Marco Verratti, and N’Golo Kanté. What distinguishes Guimaraes is his ability to act as a deep-lying playmaker—a ‘regista’—while also offering dynamic dribbling and carrying qualities. This dual-threat is underscored by his impressive per 90 averages: 7.49 progressive passes and 8.13 progressive carries, placing him near the top percentile among his peers.
Guimaraes averages 67 passes per game, indicating his suitability for possession-oriented systems. While he’s not yet fully tested as the lone defensive presence in a 4-3-3, evidence from his performances suggests he would adapt well to various tactical demands. His technical range means he could seamlessly slot into any system, providing both defensive solidity and creative impetus.
Guimaraes is not without limitations. He is less of a scoring threat, with only 0.11 shots on target per 90 minutes and is yet to find the net in the league. Instead, his creative contributions shine brighter, having already provided 3 assists. His dribbling completion rate sits at 51%, which is below some of Europe’s elite—but his adaptability and consistency make him a formidable presence in midfield.
Potential Fit: Which European Clubs Could Benefit?
With the 2022 January transfer window in full swing, Guimaraes has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United. Intriguingly, Newcastle appears most poised to sign him, even if their current system may not maximize his talents.
Manager Eddie Howe favors possession and sharp transitions—areas where Guimaraes excels. However, Newcastle’s current anchor, Jonjo Shelvey, is a pivotal figure, and Guimaraes might find himself in a more advanced number 8 role under Howe, or in a 4-2-3-1 with Joelinton as a free-roaming 10. Alternatively, his skillset could facilitate tactical shifts toward a 3-4-2-1, leveraging fullbacks like Kieran Trippier in more creative roles.
Outside Newcastle, Guimaraes would suit Arsenal’s need for a disciplined, ball-playing midfielder and would elevate Manchester United’s midfield, particularly as an upgrade alongside players like Fred. His profile matches those of Fabinho, Rodri, Fernandinho, or even a future Sergio Busquets—a mobile, technically gifted shield for elite clubs. It’s very plausible that Newcastle could be a springboard for Guimaraes, paving his way to Champions League contention in the near future.
How Guimaraes Stacks Up Against Europe’s Best
To gauge Guimaraes’ standing among Europe’s top defensive midfield talents, we’ve compared him with key players in the Premier League and Ligue 1, including Fernandinho, Rodri, Fabinho, Kanté, Kovacic, Jorginho, Rice, and Marco Verratti. The following breakdown illustrates where Guimaraes excels and where he still has room to grow.
Passing Accuracy and Ball Distribution
Guimaraes boasts a short passing completion rate of 92.6%, making him one of the most reliable passers in his peer group; only Marco Verratti has a slight edge in this area. While Rodri leads the pack in long passing accuracy, Guimaraes’s consistency with short and medium-range distribution stands out, ensuring ball retention and tempo control for his team.
Progressive Play: Passing and Carrying
When it comes to advancing play, Guimaraes ranks second behind Verratti for combined progressive passes and carries per game. This creative engine role is especially desirable for clubs that lack midfielders comfortable breaking opposition lines via both passing and dribbling. Notably, Guimaraes outpaces many established names such as Rodri and Declan Rice in this regard.
Defensive Influence: Tackling and Discipline
In tackling metrics, Guimaraes holds his ground among top-tier players. While Rodri and Kovacic excel in certain defensive actions, Guimaraes demonstrates a proactive approach to regaining possession, outperforming Fabinho and Fernandinho in tackle success rates. Furthermore, his low yellow card rate (0.11 per 90 minutes) suggests he’s able to win the ball cleanly, minimizing risk for his team.
Creative Output: Assists and Key Passes
Guimaraes leads his elite group in both key passes and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, underlying his ability to unlock defences from deep. His expected assists statistics are similarly impressive, which is particularly significant for clubs seeking to add creative impetus from midfield rather than relying solely on attackers.
Duels and Aerial Contests
If there’s an area requiring development, it’s duels—both aerially and in one-on-one situations. Guimaraes currently ranks below the top leaders in combined aerial and dribbling duels won. While his high number of progressive carries showcases his willingness to drive forward, further improvement in physical and tight-space encounters will be key if he aims to excel in more physically demanding leagues such as the Premier League.
Summary: Guimaraes’ Star Continues to Rise
Bruno Guimaraes’s resume compares favorably with the best midfielders across Europe’s top leagues. Interest from clubs like Newcastle United signals his potential impact—not just for their rebuild but as a future star for Europe’s elite. While there are facets of his game that can be further polished, such as his aerial presence and dribble completion, his blend of passing, tactical intelligence, progressive play, and creativity place him firmly on the radar of top-level clubs.
Should he make the move to the Premier League or another high-profile setting, Guimaraes possesses all the tools necessary to thrive—possibly becoming the successor to the greatest defensive midfielders of his generation.
