SHEFFIELD UNITED MAN RAVES ABOUT ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ AND ‘AMAZING’ NEWCASTLE STAR

 

 

Sheffield United ace Vinicius Souza knows he is in for a ‘hard game’ up against fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes when the Premier League newcomers host Newcastle United on Saturday. 

How well Eddie Howe’s relatively small squad can cope with a fixture schedule now crammed with many a midweek fixture may become apparent this weekend, Newcastle United’s first post-Champions League fixture in two decades taking them to Bramall Lane.

 

 

Souza, impressive since his summer arrival at Sheffield United, will be praying that fatigue sets in for Bruno Guimaraes; the Newcastle tempo-setter playing the full 90 minutes against AC Milan in midweek.

The former Espanyol enforcer will, at least, avoid a scrap with Joelinton, Eddie Howe confirming that the Brazil international – labelled a ‘very, very good player’ by Souza – will once again be missing in South Yorkshire (The Chronicle).

 

Newcastle face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane

“I need to keep my focus on Sheffield United,” Souza tells Sky Sports. “Before the games, the analysts always show me what I need to do, or what my opponent will do. And Bruno obviously plays in the same position as me,” he says, smiling again.

“Sometimes they say; ‘Vini, you need to do this, like Bruno!’ I say; ‘OK, I’ll try!’

“But he is an amazing player. He had an unbelievable season last year and now, for me, he’s even better.”

‘Amazing’ Bruno Guimaraes

Do not be surprised if Paul Heckingbottom opts to deploy a man-marking tactic when Newcastle come to town,

Souza following Bruno Guimaraes around the pitch like a particularly clingy shadow. Souza averaged the most

successful tackles per game in the Belgian top-flight during his time at Lommel, and finished second in the standings

even as Espanyol were relegated from La Liga in 2022/23 (WhoScored).

 

 

Sheffield United have improved substantially in recent weeks too, claiming a deserved draw against Everton before

holding off Tottenham Hotspur until the 98^th minute in North London.