Newcastle United have only played one game in the Eddie Howe era, but he already appears to have something of a favourite in Joelinton.
Howe couldn’t be at St James’ Park due to testing positive for COVID as Newcastle drew 3-3 with Brentford.
Still, he picked the team and set them up for what should have been his first game in charge.
Howe went with Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin up top, with Joelinton working in from the right flank.
Joelinton was bought as a striker back in 2019, but some of his best work has come out wide.
The Brazilian was superb against Brentford, firing an equaliser to bring Newcastle level at 2-2.
We could now see Joelinton thrive under Howe moving forward, especially amid claims emerging from the training ground.
The Athletic’s Newcastle reporter Chris Waugh has told Pod On The Tyne that Howe has taken an immediate liking to Joelinton.
The reason for that? Well, Howe noticed in Newcastle training that Joelinton is great at leading pressing football.
Joelinton played under Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim, meaning he is well-versed when it comes to pressing football.
Howe therefore wants Joelinton in the Newcastle side, believing he is the ideal player to lead the press.
“He leads the press,” said Waugh. “What Eddie Howe’s noticed during training is that because Joelinton came from a Hoffenheim side under Julian Nagelsmann where they were renowned for pressing high and leading that press, he’s used to that,” he added.
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