Jamaal Lascelles has revealed that he has personally taken Joelinton aside to pay tribute to his 'tough' Newcastle United team-mate after the Brazilian's remarkable turnaround at the club.
Joelinton had a testing first couple of years at Newcastle following his club-record move from Hoffenheim, but the 25-year-old has looked a completely different player since Eddie Howe came in last November. As well as playing with renewed belief, Joelinton has been reborn as a combative midfielder under the head coach after embracing a change of position.
However, given Joelinton's versatility, Howe has been keen not to pigeonhole the £40m man as a midfielder after his previous success as a forward with Hoffenheim. Indeed, last month's 3-0 win against Norwich City was a reminder of what Joelinton can do in the final third after the number seven scored two goals while playing as a left winger.
