Joelinton has scored just one Premier League goal so far with Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Joelinton could be dropped from the starting XI for the Premier League fixture against West Ham next weekend with Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce considering whether or not to take the £40 million record signing out of the firing line, as reported by The Telegraph.
In 10 games, the former Hoffenheim striker has scored just one goal and managed six shots on target for The Magpies but it would be wrong to suggest that the team’s problems start and end with him.
Joelinton has been starved of service in attack with Miguel Almiron and co failing to provide the chances he’s simply crying out for. It’s telling that it’s hard to recall many chances that the Brazilian has actually squandered – a lack of support is the primary issue, rather than a lack of ruthlessness on his part.
According to The Telegraph, there is ‘genuine sympathy’ for Joelinton’s struggles and an acceptance within St James’ Park that they have left Joelinton badly isolated in attack.
To fix the issue, Newcastle have encouraged the 23-year-old to invite friends and family to Tyneside to ease the adaptation period. Bruce, meanwhile, is keen for Joelinton to learn from Andy Carroll in training to ensure he picks up the skills to start bullying the defenders who are marking him out of the game at present.
Until then, Bruce could opt to drop Joelinton to the bench – but with Carroll far from fully fit, god knows who will replace him in the starting XI.
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