‘I felt sorry’: Alan Shearer makes claim about Newcastle United star Joelinton under Steve Bruce

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Alan Shearer has stated that he felt ‘sorry’ for Joelinton and how he was used during the early part of his Newcastle United career.

The 26-year-old arrived as a club-record signing when Steve Bruce was in charge and he wore the famous number nine shirt.

There were many struggles for Joelinton at St James’ Park, but Shearer applauded the player for his ‘incredible’ turnaround.

Eddie Howe has played a huge part in that because he was the one that decided the Brazil star was going to be used as a midfield player. 

That transformed his game and it could now be argued that he is now one of Newcastle’s most important players as they push for Champions League football.

Only a few games left, but the Magpies should get that all-important top-four finish and Joelinton’s rise is one of the best, with Shearer singing his praises, as he told Premier League Productions. 

“I felt sorry for Joelinton when he first came to Newcastle,” said Shearer. “It was unfair to put him in the position that he did. 

“Give him the number nine shirt. Pay that amount of money for him and expect him to be their saviour by scoring goals when that wasn’t his job. That wasn’t what he was brought in to do, in terms of what the fans expected of him. 

“The way Eddie has gone in and handled him and turned him into a crowd favourite. They always appreciated him because he never hid. He always wanted the ball, however tough it was for him and Newcastle fans appreciated that.

“But what he is doing now is incredible. He is aggressive, on the front foot and he’s scoring goals. He has turned into an incredible player for Newcastle.”

BRAZIL CALLING?

Joelinton has only repped Brazil as a teenager and he is yet to earn a senior call for his country, some thought it would come at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

But given the troubles Brazil had at the last major tournament, added to Joelinton’s form, then he can’t be far away.

Perhaps performing in the Champions League would give him that extra push because competing against the likes of Fabinho and Casemiro isn’t easy given what they have done in their careers.