At one point it looked as though Joelinton would go down as one of the worst pound-for-pound signings in Newcastle United history. Weighed down by his hefty, undoubtedly inflated price tag and playing in a position he never really looked comfortable, the Brazilian had to endure some tough times following his Premier League arrival.
Much has been made of Joelinton's transformation from a frustrating forward to a midfield monster but Eddie Howe's intricate work on the touchline has arguably led to the best 12 months of the player's career. Looking much more at home as a brutal enforcer than a 15-goal a season striker, the 25-year-old celebrated earning a maiden Brazil call-up over the weekend, capping off a phenomenal campaign.
There were lingering, minor hopes that Joelinton had done enough to earn a spot alongside Bruno Guimaraes as Tite announced his Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup. However, it wasn't to be. “There’s always an element of disappointment for anyone that misses out,” Howe said back in November.
