Joelinton has outlined his personal target for the upcoming season with Newcastle United having completed his redemption arc from a record flop to a cult hero.
The former number nine struggled under the weight of the iconic shirt following his £40 million move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019. Callum Wilson took the leading role the following season, and Joelinton could not find a consistent starting position under Steve Bruce.
However, Eddie Howe immediately earmarked the future midfield enforcer as an important player in his bid to guide the Magpies to Premier League survival. It was circumstance and a moment of madness from Ciaran Clark which led to this new role, and now Joelinton will enter the new campaign as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
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The 25-year-old was named the club's player's of the season last term, but is evidently not resting on his laurels when it comes to his own targets. While revelling in the physical demands of his new role, Joelinton admits he needs to improve in the air while also confirming he has set himself a goalscoring target.
He told the Sun: "I love the contact. I have to win every challenge, every ball, and I go in with everything. I’m just lucky to have a good body!
“I am big and have big legs so it makes tackling a bit easier. But I have to improve my heading. I might be tall and strong but I am not very good at it — everyone asks why I haven’t scored many goals with my head.
“I have to get in the box more, score more goals and give more assists. I’m hoping to get at least ten goals this season.
“My five-year-old son Neto is my biggest fan but I'll come back and he’ll say, ‘Daddy, daddy, why didn’t you score?’ There is a lot of pressure at home!”
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