Current skipper Jamaal Lascelles is recovering from a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury that is poised to keep him sidelined until the business end of the year. Even when the centre-back is fully fit, he finds himself down the pecking order and subsequently handing the armband to vice-captain Kieran Trippier. His future has been up in the air in recent windows due to interest, mainly from Turkish side Besiktas.
Trippier has been a worthy stand-in in recent seasons, showing his immense leadership both on and off the pitch. However, doubts have emerged as to whether he too will be staying at Newcastle for much longer.
The 33-year-old attracted serious interest from Bayern Munich in January, while this summer has started with speculation over interest from Saudi Arabian sides. Trippier, who will be on the plane to the Euros later this month, subsequently may have a decision to make over taking one last payday before he hangs up his boots.
With Lascelles and Trippier potentially approaching the end of their time with Newcastle, attention turns to who could be bumped up the pecking order in terms of leadership. Dan Burn would certainly be a contender to become captain, while Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff have led the side in recent months. Bruno, surely, isn't far away from be awarded the extra responsibility in the future.
“Look, that’s how I see myself. Throughout the Olympics, I was captain at the Pre-Olympics, I was captain at Atlético Paranense, I was captain at Lyon in a few games, at Newcastle, I think something will happen next season too,” Bruno Guimarães told TNT Sports Brazil this week.
Inevitable and a goal of his for next season with us 🖤🤍
