By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-27 12:50:32 | Updated at 2024-10-27 15:17:16
2 hours ago
And welcome to our live blog of Chelsea vs Newcastle United. It is seventh place against 12th place, Chelsea have 14 points and have certainly had some good moments this season. Newcastle 12 points but yet to really get going.
Chelsea lost against Liverpool last weekend, no disgrace, but had been on a nice wee run prior to that. Newcastle themselves lost last time, at home against Brighton.
All sorts of intrigues and subplots all over the pitch, and we will be keeping an eye on the burgeoning partnership between Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Tonali has made seven appearances for the Magpies since his worldwide suspension for breaching betting rules ended in August, and the 24-year-old Italy international has gradually worked his way back up to speed.
Head coach Eddie Howe has revealed that Guimaraes, who replaced Kieran Trippier as Newcastle captain this summer, has played a pivotal role in his fellow midfielder’s re-assimilation.
Howe said: “They have developed a really good relationship on and off the pitch. There is a lot of respect between the two players.
“I think Bruno will have a lot of empathy for Sandro, seeing him come to a new area and club, just as he did, albeit in very different circumstances. Bruno came in facing a relegation battle and we are in a different place at the moment.
“But I think Bruno has taken Sandro under his wing and tried to help him. I can see him having chats with him, putting his arm around him and I also think trying to educate him on how we play.
“That’s been a really healthy relationship for them both.”
Guimaraes a superb player in my book, Sandro could do a lot worse than emulate him. We will see if one or both of them is in the starting XI very soon.
