Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has hailed Eddie Howe for realising what Joelinton can really offer to a winning side and helping turn him into one of the Premier League’s most in-form players.
Even when playing as a striker for his previous clubs, Joelinton had always been about moving into areas away from the six-yard box and bringing other players into play as much as it was about scoring goals: he had registered a goal or assist every other league game in his final season at Hoffenheim, but the two tallies were evenly divided.
So when the Brazilian was given both the weighty No 9 shirt and the out-and-out centre-forward role to match at St James’ Park, Shearer felt it brought a burden of undue expectation – but is thrilled to see him now thriving in a variety of midfield and wing positions, as befits the number 7 shirt he took on after the end of his first season.
