Newcastle United striker Joelinton is yet to get off the mark at St. James’ Park.
Joelinton has had a difficult start to life at St. James’ Park, after becoming Newcastle’s most expensive signing this summer.
The Brazilian has failed to score in his opening two matches, and he has looked very isolated up-top.
Joelinton is clearly still adapting to playing in England.
But Ritchie insists that his new Newcastle teammate will come good if he is given time.
“He’s been fantastic in training,” the £10 million (Mirror) Scottish international said.
“He’s a really nice lad. In the last couple of weeks you’ve seen him grow in confidence in the dressing room and building relationships. Obviously, that always helps, and hopefully we’ve helped him settle.
“He looks like he’s got everything a top striker needs, and hopefully he can fulfil his potential here.”
Steve Bruce will surely stay patient with Joelinton and start him for Newcastle against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, but he is going to need more support.
Joelinton has been partnered by Miguel Almiron up-front for Newcastle, but the pair haven’t worked well in tandem.
Almiron has often been too far away from Joelinton to link-up, and that has caused Newcastle to score just once in their first two games.
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