Eddie Howe has declared his ‘love’ for Joelinton and detailed how the Brazilian has adapted his game to suit midfield since taking over Newcastle United, while speaking to talkSPORT.
Joelinton has reinvented himself as an all-action midfielder since the Magpies sacked Steve Bruce and appointed Howe in November. His St James’ Park career never took offer under the former Toon boss at striker after a club-record £40m move from Hoffenheim in 2019.
The 25-year-old never seemed suited to leading the Magpies’ attack and managed just six goals in 77 Premier League games. But a move into the engine room has worked wonders, with Joelinton now turning in top-draw performances and keeping Bruno Guimaraes out.
Joelinton has shown supreme determination to make an impact from midfield and fulfil his defensive duties. He also hit a key goal for Newcastle’s survival bid to help beat Brentford last weekend. But it is his relentless tackles and domination in duels that stands out most.
Howe ‘can’t really doubt’ Joelinton after Newcastle star’s turnaround
Howe loves the person and player Joelinton has been at St James’ since replacing Bruce as Newcastle’s head coach. The Brazilian has also stood out to the Magpies boss at Benton with his work in training that is putting the all-action star on a Player of the Season path.
“[Joelinton’s] an incredible guy,” Howe said. “He’s very, very focused on his football, very humble, very hardworking and a really, really good trainer. He’s desperate to succeed and do well for Newcastle, and I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person… I love him.”
Howe has also detailed the key factors behind why Joelinton has managed to shift his game from years of playing at striker to now playing a starring role in the Newcastle midfield unit.
“Firstly, his defensive understanding and his tactical understanding of everything we’ve asked him to do has been very, very good,” Howe added. “If you tell him something once, it sticks. You don’t have to tell him over and over again.
“And then his technical capabilities, which you can’t really doubt, are very, very high. And, of course with his centre-forward background, he has an eye for goal and it showed against Brentford. So, he has all the qualities to play in that position and he’s done it very well.”
Few would likely have expected Joelinton’s career to take off at Newcastle like it has since Howe took charge. But he could now be one of the key players behind the Toon securing their Premier League status for another year if the Brazilian maintains his current output.
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