The Lament of St. James' Park: As the "Funeral Three Midfielders" Approach Their Final Act, All Three Will Leave This Summer

On the map of the Premier League, Newcastle United once struck fear into countless opponents with their suffocating midfield pressure and aggressive style of play. Tonali, Guimarães, and Joelinton, three players with distinct styles that perfectly complemented each other, formed the backbone of the Magpies' resurgence. Reverently dubbed the "Funeral Three Midfielders" by fans, not only because they could "bury" their opponents, but also because this trio once led Newcastle to the glory of the League Cup final and back to the Champions League after years away. However, as the 2026 summer transfer window progresses, this glorious chapter of St. James' Park is being ruthlessly torn apart by reality.

The disintegration did not happen overnight; it was a long-planned collapse. The first to "fall" was Italian midfielder Tonali, who joined Tottenham Hotspur for a staggering £100 million transfer fee, setting a club record for Spurs. This deal not only removed Newcastle's midfield intercepting and vertical passing hub, but also sent a clear signal: under the heavy pressure of Financial Fair Play regulations, the club had to sell core assets to survive. Tonali's departure was the first domino in the breakup of the "Funeral Three Midfielders."

Close on his heels was captain Guimarães. After Arsenal's two bids of €70 million and €80 million were rejected, the Gunners finally opened Newcastle's door with a fixed fee of €90 million. For the Brazilian international, leaving was the inevitable result of multiple factors: Newcastle's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League left his ambition to compete at Europe's top level unfulfilled; the departure of legendary manager Eddie Howe, who resigned in exhaustion, deprived him of his strongest spiritual support at St. James' Park; and the successive exits of teammates made him lose all faith in the club's vague "2030 Vision." Once Guimarães' heart had already flown to the Emirates Stadium, this deal was only a matter of time.

As for Joelinton, the final piece of the "Funeral Three Midfielders," he had long since planned his escape. Shortly after the season ended, he made it clear to the club that he wished to transfer to the Saudi league in search of a more lucrative salary. Although no official bid has been made yet, his intention to leave marks the complete spiritual collapse of this midfield trio. While Guimarães was on holiday in Brazil with his family, delaying his return for preseason, and Joelinton was waiting for a call from Saudi Arabia, the soul of Newcastle's midfield had already departed.

Behind this disintegration lies Newcastle United's fierce struggle between ambition and reality. The Premier League's financial rules hang like a sword of Damocles, forcing the club to make a cruel choice between the grand narrative of the "2030 Vision" and immediate fiscal balance. Selling Tonali and Guimarães could bring in nearly £200 million in cash flow, temporarily easing financial pressure, but the respite gained from this "selling of blood" comes at the cost of a cliff-like drop in the team's core competitiveness.

Even more concerning is the chaos displayed by the club's management amid the turmoil. Legendary manager Eddie Howe resigned in exhaustion, and a new coach has yet to be appointed; in the transfer market, Newcastle not only missed out on their desired winger targets but instead spent €130 million to bring in four U20 young players. This "scratch card" approach to squad building stands in stark contrast to the team's urgent need for immediate strength to fill the core gaps. As former England legend Stuart Pearce warned, Newcastle now is perhaps closer to the relegation zone than to competing for the league title.

The breakup of the "Funeral Three Midfielders" is not only the collapse of a team's tactical system but also a microcosm of the end of an era. It signals the end of Newcastle United's model of rapid rise relying on a few core players, and exposes the deep-seated crisis in the club's long-term planning, management stability, and financial sustainability following the change of ownership.

When Tonali runs at Tottenham's White Hart Lane, when Guimarães orchestrates at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, and when Joelinton chases gold under the Saudi sun, the fans at St. James' Park can only watch their heroes depart. The suffocating midfield pressure that once terrified opponents, the passionate roars during the League Cup final—all will become memories. Newcastle United's future: will it follow Brighton's "selling club" model, or continue to linger outside the door of the elite? The answer to this question may be even more chilling for the Magpies' fans than the breakup of the "Funeral Three Midfielders" itself.

Watch the Premier League on Migu Video!