Jamie Carragher believes Joelinton has become ‘unrecognisable’ from the player Newcastle United signed. Boss Eddie Howe has reinvented the Brazilian with a move into his midfield.
The Toon issued a signal of intent in the summer of 2019 during Steve Bruce’s first transfer window in charge. Newcastle paid TSG Hoffenheim £40m to sign Joelinton to serve as their new No9. The fee smashed the club-record £21m fee Rafa Benitez paid for Miguel Almiron.
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Howe has since shattered the record for another striker in Alexsandar Isak, who cost £63m to move from Real Sociedad. The Swede and Callum Wilson now share the responsibility of leading the Magpies’ attack. While Joelinton has become a dominant all-action midfielder.
Carragher believes Joelinton is ‘unrecognisable’ from the striker Newcastle signed
Joelinton could never live up to the price tag that hung over him as a striker on Tyneside in Bruce’s plans. The Brazilian scored just six goals and five assists across 77 Premier League fixtures before the Toon sought a change in head coach and sacked Bruce in October 2021.
Bruce further saw the 26-year-old endure a 26-game goal drought during his debut season at St James’ Park. That drought also preceded dry spells of 16 and 14 fixtures for Joelinton. His best run of goals came between April 2021 and May 2021 with three in seven matches.
Howe, however, saw potential as a midfielder in Joelinton after replacing Bruce in charge in November 2021. The Alianca native would go on to stun everyone in their engine room. So much so that the Toon would also name Joelinton as their Player of the Year for last season.
Joelinton has pretty much picked up from where he left of this term, as well, with his grit and desire. He has also shown an improved offensive threat and displayed great control of the ball at Leicester City on Monday. Howe fielded the Brazilian at left-wing on Boxing Day.
Now, Carragher has sung Joelinton’s praises and reflected back on the former Brazil youth star’s early struggles at Newcastle. He noted in his column for The Telegraph: “Joelinton is unrecognisable since he was being ridiculed as one of the worst Premier League signings.”
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