Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas have praised the mentality of Newcastle’s Joelinton, who has revitalised his career by dropping back into midfield.
The 25-year-old found it tough to find the net on a regular basis when he first arrived at the Magpies which led to disgruntlement and increased pressure from the stands.
However, the arrival of Eddie Howe has seen him become a box-to-box midfielder, often getting forward to support the attack, and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
Both Jenas and Ferdinand have recognised Joelinton's transformation, the latter noting his importance to the side amid Newcastle’s relegation struggle.
Speaking on BT Sport prior to Newcastle’s Premier League visit to West Ham, he said: “Sometimes it’s not all about the thrills and spills, sometimes you have to put a shift in.
“This guy wants to improve and when you’re in the position that Newcastle are in, you need more of him.”
Jenas admitted Joelinton looked more free in his game, with the pressure he previously bore now seemingly dissipated.
He commented: “Whether it was by chance or luck, they’ve took the shackles off the whole goalscoring thing that was attached to him for a long period of time.
“This midfield role seems to suit him, you forget he was a right winger at Hoffenheim, he wasn’t a prolific goal scorer.”
Prior to the West Ham clash, struggling Newcastle had been beaten just twice in the seven Premier League games Joelinton started in midfield.
He has netted 11 times in 114 appearance for the club since his 2019 move from Germany, also recording eight assists.
