Newcastle United stars continue to tease Joelinton that he owes Ciaran Clark for his second chance at St James’ Park after forcing boss Eddie Howe to move the Brazilian into midfield.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report Toon stars still rib Joelinton that Clark’s ninth-minute red card against Norwich City in November was the catalyst for his revival. The early dismissal forced Howe into a change in structure out of necessity, yet has worked wonders.
Magpies players now frequently remind the £40m former Hoffenheim forward in training: “You owe Ciaran for this!” But their comments are in jest, with the squad delighted to see the 25-year-old flourish in midfield after two underwhelming seasons under Steve Bruce.
Newcastle first-team figures never imagined Joelinton changing his game entirely from the uncomfortable striker he seemed to an all-action midfielder. He had always shown a good tactical understanding after his 2019 arrival, but his transformation has been a real surprise.
Joelinton had only started in an engine room role once in his career before Howe dropped Newcastle’s club-record signing into midfield against Norwich. He featured in the centre for Rapid Vienna in February 2017, yet saw red after 67 minutes for two bookable offences.
Newcastle stars still tease Joelinton he owes Ciaran Clark for midfield revival
But Joelinton has taken teammates, Newcastle staff and fans by surprise with his new lease of life in Howe’s midfield. Kieran Trippier has even hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ for how the Brazilian battles for and retains the ball, and come on leaps and bound in black-and-white.
He is now impacting games from much deeper positions than before, when he would cut a lacklustre presence unable to impact games from the attack. Joelinton also breaks up play across the field and gets in both penalty areas. He also carried over his ball-carrying skills.
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