West Ham striker Michail Antonio is full of praise for the transformation Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has made under Eddie Howe this season.
Having joined the club back in July 2019 from Hoffenheim for a then fee of £40million, the Brazilian failed to hit the ground running initially at St James Park.
With many bringing the fee into question, the 25-year-only mustered two goals in his debut Premier League season here in the North East.
But having now been given a new lease of life whilst playing further back in a better suited midfield role it seems, Antonio has given his thoughts on the former forwards transition.
''Do you know who shocked me and who I was very impressed with? Joelinton,'' began the Hammers forward, as he dissected the weekend's clash with Magpies striker Callum Wilson.
''You guys signed him for what? £40million as a number nine, man is now playing midfield! He went from number nine, too out wide, to midfield and I think he's found his position.''
Wilson responded: ''Mate he's a joke. At the minute he's our player of the season the way Eddie [Howe] has transformed him. Bringing him into midfield where he is now breaking up the play, smashing people like yourself.
''He's been outstanding the last eight weeks since he's made that transition into the midfield with a three and he looks like a totally different player.''
Having shone so far alongside both Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock for the Magpies, Antonio was admits he was sceptical prior to facing up against the Brazilian last weekend.
''I was thinking moving him in there, you would kind of expect some kind of mistake because strikers are taught to gamble and in midfield you can't really gamble,'' he added.
''Nope, everything he did was assured and he broke things up. He was quality.''
