Jamaal Lascelles admits he’s not sure whether Joelinton will need to adapt at Newcastle United

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Newcastle United have broken their transfer record on Joelinton this summer.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has admitted to the Shields Gazette that he doesn’t know if Joelinton will take time to adapt at St. James’ Park.

Lascelles has trained alongside Joelinton for the first time at Newcastle over the past week, and he has been impressed with what he has seen from the Brazilian.

However, Lascelles has suggested that patience could be key from Newcastle fans, although he thinks that Joelinton is perfectly suited for the Premier League.

“First impressions are that he’s a big lad, he’s fast, he’s strong and very athletic,” the £30 million centre-back (The Sun) said.

“I’m not sure what the German league is like and whether he’s going to have to adapt but personally I think he’s going to be raring to go.

“I think the Premier League is going to suit him perfectly. This isn’t a reflection on how we’re going to be playing and how we’re going to be.”

Joelinton has now played for Newcastle for the first time and his debut was certainly eventful.

Newcastle’s record signing won a penalty and then gave away a spot kick in Steve Bruce’s side’s 2-1 defeat against Preston North End on Saturday.

Joelinton is being asked to carry much of the goalscoring burden, so Newcastle cannot afford for him to take too long to acclimatise to English football.

Newcastle have lost Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon, so it looks very likely Joelinton will be required to start on opening day for the Magpies.