Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton is amazed Joelinton is still playing in midfield for Newcastle United. A club-record £40million was stumped up to sign the Brazilian in July 2019.
Initially signed as a striker, Joelinton was tasked with filling the void left by Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez - who bagged 23 goals between them in the previous campaign. However, the then 23-year-old - adapting to a new league, country and language - struggled, and a crisis in confidence ensued.
Joelinton soon fell out of favour on Tyneside and an exit was reportedly on the cards, with Turkish clubs understood to be interested. However, a dramatic on-field transformation under Eddie Howe makes him a firm fans’ favourite.
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The Toon boss saw his physical attributes and converted Joelinton into a midfield enforcer. Dominant displays in the engine room helped Newcastle clinch Premier League survival and the 26-year-old earned the club’s player of the season award in the process.
Despite the upturn in form, Sutton is baffled at his acceptance to remain in midfield. The 49-year-old believes Joelinton would prefer not to play up front for Newcastle again.
“The Joelinton one is interesting because he was a striker who had clearly lost confidence in front of goal,” Sutton told BBC Football Daily. “It was incredible to move him back and think it would be a good fit, but he's been a brilliant fit.
“He seems to be a player, along with Almiron and Longstaff who Eddie Howe is getting so much out of. When Eddie Howe got the job and the takeover and what have you, everybody was thinking ‘there's going to be a mass overhaul of the squad’ - that hasn't happened.
“What was slightly unusual about the Joelinton one is, what was he? A £40million centre forward? To think he actually seems happy playing that position. You ask most centre forwards; I mean, I never used to like dropping back…
“But from Joelinton’s point of view, he seems really happy there. I bet if you asked him he wouldn't even want to move back up top.”
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