Eddie Howe has highlighted that “no one is undroppable” as Newcastle prepares to welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park. The Magpies are entering a demanding period, having recently lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with an important match against Arsenal approaching on Saturday. These upcoming games could be crucial for their season’s trajectory.
Chelsea’s performance over the weekend suggests a challenging game ahead, but Newcastle hopes to leverage their home advantage. While Howe may rotate his squad, he’s expected to field a competitive team with a quarter-final spot at stake.
Bruno Guimaraes, a regular in Howe’s Premier League lineup, might be given a breather. Since mid-August 2023, Guimaraes has featured in 61 matches for Newcastle and 18 for Brazil, making this his 80th game since then. When asked if Guimaraes is essential to the lineup, Howe remarked, “No one is undroppable.”
Howe acknowledged the midfielder’s workload, stating, “Bruno has played extensively and traveled often, consistently showing up for us. We need to manage his minutes carefully, as well as those of others with heavy schedules, while still fielding a strong team to win. It’s a decision I have to weigh carefully.”
Since his arrival in January 2022, Newcastle has struggled to secure victories without Guimaraes on the field. In this season’s Carabao Cup, he initially began on the bench but was called into action, playing 75 minutes against Nottingham Forest due to Joe Willock’s early exit and appearing at halftime in the win over AFC Wimbledon in the previous round.
