Eddie Howe says that Joelinton's player of the year performances are one of the big reasons why Newcastle United pulled away from trouble in the Premier League long before this weekend's Survival Sunday shootout.
The Toon boss has also confessed that the £40million price tag was a big factor in Joelinton's early struggles at the club but he observed his willingness to improve on his first day at the club. Since then Joelinton has dropped back to midfield and has shone in a different role.
Howe reckons that Joelinton's form drove Newcastle to safety, he said: "There is a link there. Joe has just given everything, and not just on match days, he's given everything in training and behind the scenes.
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"The work he has put in and the adaption he had to do in terms of changing position, taking on new information and absorbing that very quickly. And getting a tactical understanding of his new role, I can't credit him enough for that."
When speaking about Joelinton's character, Howe added: "He has that joy in him because he is a positive person. Joelinton is a happy person and from day one he was very bright and showed me he wanted to work.
"I look at his part in our first goal vs Arsenal with the marauding run he showed pace, energy and technical understanding of where to be. He put the cross in and is developing very well in that position."
And discussing Joelinton's struggles before his arrival as well as the big price tag, Howe said: "I have experienced turnarounds in careers but not quite as spectacular as this. The transfer fee he was signed for had nothing to do with him.
"But it did build a lot of pressure on his performances. To see him deal with that period was very difficult for him and keep his mindset clear and try to be better and improve. I am just absolutely delighted for him."
