‘I never thought’: Graeme Souness hails Newcastle star’s 2022 turnaround

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Graeme Souness has praised Joelinton for turning his career at Newcastle United around in 2022. The Toon star is now playing at a level he ‘never thought’ the Brazilian would reach.

Joelinton has been on Tyneside since 2019 but he has often been a disappointing presence at St James’ Park. Yet Eddie Howe’s arrival at the helm in November 2021 saw the 26-year-old find a new lease of life. Now, he is arguably one of the Magpies’ most essential players.

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Newcastle signed Joelinton from TSG Hoffenheim for what was a club-record £40m fee to be Steve Bruce’s leading striker. But the price tag loomed over his head like a dark cloud as the Alianca native failed to deliver. He never seemed likely of living up to the expectations.

Throughout Bruce’s tenure on Tyneside, Joelinton offered Newcastle just six goals and five assists over his 77 Premier League appearances. Yet the former Brazil U17 prospect has hit home five and created two in 38 games under Howe. Even though he rarely plays upfront.

Howe swiftly removed Joelinton from Newcastle’s attack upon succeeding Bruce and used the 6 ft 1 ace in midfield, instead. It proved to be a masterstroke as Joelinton truly became a dominant presence in their engine room. He has delivered an array of all-action displays.

Souness ‘never thought’ Joelinton would play like he has in 2022 at Newcastle

So impressive and so instant were Joelinton’s performances after moving into the midfield at Newcastle that he won supporters back. He was relentlessly ridiculed at striker after not hitting the heights expected with his price tag. But he is now essential for Howe’s system.

Joelinton making a true difference from box-to-box also saw Newcastle name him as their Player of the Year last season. Now, Souness has added his own praise for the Brazilian as the former Newcastle boss never expected to see Joelinton perform like he has at the club.

“Joelinton was an absolute pudding as a striker,” Souness wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “Over the past year, mostly in midfield, he is doing things I never thought he would be capable of – the drive, aggression, even a goal threat.”