Eddie Howe has told Rio Ferdinand that Joelinton epitomises what he wants from his Newcastle United players because the selfless Brazilian has done whatever his manager has asked.
Howe spoke to the BT Sport pundit about the club's record signing off air ahead of Newcastle's 1-0 defeat against Liverpool at St James' Park last week. Joelinton started on the left wing that afternoon, and caused Liverpool problems in the air in the early stages, but the 25-year-old has played the majority of his football under Howe as a combative central midfielder.
That change of position only came about after Ciaran Clark was sent off against Norwich City last November but, tellingly, Joelinton went on to embrace the role and worked hard at it with both the club's coaching staff and, indeed, his own personal analyst, Diego Vieira. Considering Joelinton barely had any experience of being used in the middle of the park, aside from getting sent off while playing there for Rapid Vienna many years ago, the Brazilian's defensive awareness and tactical understanding have been striking.
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What has shone through the most under Howe, though, is how the versatile Joelinton has been willing to play wherever his manager has asked him, whether it is as a central midfielder, left winger, second striker or centre forward. Joelinton is now the frontrunner to win the club's player of the year award and Ferdinand has named the £40m man his most improved player this season.
"Since Eddie Howe's come in that club, he's absolutely rejuvenated and he's played in multiple positions," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five. "I've seen him playing in the centre of midfield.
"He was bought as a Brazilian number nine by the way. Now he's playing left wing. He's got four goals and one assist this year. His work ethic...we spoke to Eddie Howe the other day before the game. Off screen, I've spoken to Eddie about him and he was saying he epitomises what he wants in his players.
"He's come in, he's worked hard and asked: 'What do you need from me? What do you want from me? I will do it.' He's going out there and performing to a tee.
"He's carrying out all of the instructions with no questions asked, going out there and putting it all on the line. He's one of the main reasons why Newcastle have jumped from where they were."
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