Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has been discussing the Newcastle United midfield after their performance against Arsenal.
By Jordan Cronin
Newcastle United midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have been told they could play for any team in world football.
The Magpies duo have been subject to intense transfer speculation heading into the summer window, particularly after CEO David Hopkinson admitted the club may need to sell stars to comply with financial regulations.
While Guimaraes has been a mainstay in the side, Tonali has recently returned to the fold, and the pair started together in Saturday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at St James’ Park. Despite the result, Manchester United legend Gary Neville was left in awe of the quality in Eddie Howe’s engine room.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit suggested the pair are so good they would “sing and dance” in any elite starting XI.
“I do like Newcastle’s midfield. I think Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock today. They are bloody good. They are good players. They could play in any team, by the way,” Neville said.
“You could put Guimaraes in any team in the Premier League or in Europe. You could put Tonali in any team in the Premier League or in Europe. They wouldn’t look out of place. They would sing and dance in there.”
The admission comes at a time of uncertainty for the Magpies’ roster. Tonali, who has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, is viewed by some as a potential candidate for a big-money move should the club decide to cash in.
Guimaraes, who is approaching his 29th birthday, has previously stated his happiness on Tyneside but admitted he “does not know what will happen in the future” regarding the club’s long-term project and his own career path.
For now, the focus remains on the final four games of the Premier League season as Newcastle look to secure a strong finish and provide a platform for whatever rebuilding may take place in the summer.
