MY ACCOUNT
Newcastle’s recent climb has been remarkable thanks in part to a mid-season rebirth from Joelinton at St James’ Park.
The Brazilian had been a figure of fun for much of his Magpies career but he is now a fan favourite on Tyneside after switching from struggling striker to box-to-box midfielder under Eddie Howe.
And the 25-year-old even found his scoring touch during a crucial 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Brentford on Saturday — a moment he richly deserved after his recent performances.
As the Geordies look to make it five wins in six against Brighton this weekend, we turn the spotlight on their new midfield maestro.
Fans go Brazil nuts
When Joelinton opened the scoring against Brentford, there was only one direction he was heading.
A packed away section littered with Brazilian flags had already been chanting his name non-stop prior to his 33rd-minute opener.
Despite being at the opposite end of the Brentford Community Stadium when he planted a fine header past David Raya, the midfielder set off on a long run to celebrate in front of the jubilant Magpies faithful.
It is a mutual adoration that has come to fruition since his Howe-inspired renaissance and a sign that he has truly found his place at Newcastle.
Explaining his passionate celebration, he said: “I ran to the fans because they always support me and the team.
“This goal is for the fans, my family and everybody who is behind me.”
Reborn
It is some turnaround for Joelinton, considering he had spent much of career on Tyneside with fans wondering why the club had shelled out £40million for him in 2019.
Just 12 goals in 106 appearances is not a tally you would expect from a record-signing centre-forward — especially at a club that has seen Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer don their black and white shirt.
And the ex-Hoffenheim marksman became something of a running joke because of it.
But when Howe took over, he saw a quality in the forward that predecessor Steve Bruce had not seen.
Though it was somewhat of a stroke of luck that led him to deploy Joelinton in his new role.
Having gone down to 10 men just nine minutes into his third Newcastle game against Norwich, Joelinton was asked to drop into midfield to help the team negotiate the difficult situation.
Holding on for an important point in a 1-1 draw, the boss was very complimentary of the showing his then makeshift midfielder had put in.
Howe said: “He covered every blade of grass the other night and put in tackles you wouldn’t associate with a centre-forward.
“The tactical delivery of what we asked him to do, in two different positions, was of the highest level.
“He took to that midfield role with minimal instructions and delivered it absolutely brilliantly.”
Star performer
Since then he has made the position his own, putting in disciplined and hard-working performances game after game.
Making tackles, intercepting balls and launching attacks, he looks a man who has operated in the centre of the park for years rather than just the nine games he has started there.
In metrics no one would have expected him to be leading in at the start of the season, the Alicana native ranks highest at the club for tackles (59), interceptions (24) and possessions won (129).
He has also completed the second-most passes (482) and 171 of those have been in the final third — only Allan Saint-Maximin has registered more.
Geordie legend Shearer previously admitted he felt “sorry” for the ex-Recife man due to his lack of suitability to playing up front and the weight of the No9 shirt that came with it.
But now donning No7, Shearer is as thrilled as anyone to see Joelinton thriving in his new role.
Naming him in his Premier League team of the week, the 51-year-old wrote: “The Brazilian looks reborn in midfield under Eddie Howe and scored an excellent goal.”
Joel, Jonjo and Joe
Amid a busy January transfer window for Newcastle, their £33m capture of highly-rated midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was hailed as potentially the most transformative.
But four games in and Guimaraes can barely get a kick for his new team, such is the form of his fellow Brazilian alongside English duo Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock.
It has many wondering where their new man fits in, with superb performances making the trio undroppable right now.
And Howe has suggested Guimaraes’ wait for a run in the team is set to continue.
After the Brentford win, he said: “The midfield has worked incredibly well and I’m reluctant to make too many changes when we’re in a really good flow.
“Bruno is going to play a lot of games for this football club and he’s going to play a lot of games this season.”
The former Lyon star’s quality will no doubt see him eventually get a regular role as the mega-rich Magpies go from strength to strength.
But with Joelinton and Co playing such a big part in Newcastle’s best run of form this season, Howe would be foolish to change it up right now.
