Joelinton was an incredible story at Newcastle United.
In the final stages of the Rafa Benitez era at St James’ Park, the Spaniard refused to bow to Mike Ashley’s insistence and desperation to sign the Brazilian from Hoffenheim.
It’s still never explained why Ashley behaved the way she did towards Joelinton.
After refusing to keep his promises to Rafa to back him after promotion, Newcastle United’s owner forced the then manager to instead rely on bargain purchases, loans and much more to get from existing players at the club who should have been transferred.
Then, after all that, in what turned out to be Rafa Benitez’s final months, Mike Ashley was suddenly ruthless about the manager agreeing to spend £40 million on Joelinton, a fee that would at least double the existing NUFC transfer record.
Then came a sad AND comical turn of events, as Rafa was forced to leave, Ashley paid compensation (!!!) to sign Steve Bruce from Sheffield Wednesday. Six days after Bruce’s arrival in July 2019, we saw Joelinton follow him through the door, with Steve Bruce hilariously claiming that he had had the final say on whether to pay the £40 million for Joelinton!
The rest is history.
Steve Bruce had no idea what to do with ‘his’ record contract with Newcastle United.
Joelinton excelled in his breakthrough 2018/19 season with Hoffenheim, playing in the Champions League and Bundesliga on the left of a front three.
Steve Bruce played him as a striker and it was a disaster. Later during his time at NUFC, Bruce frequently left Ashley out…sorry, Bruce’s record signing.
Eddie Howe came in, not long after putting Joelinton in midfield. Result!!!
Go forward to Bruno Guimaraes and then Sandro Tonali enters.
Eddie Howe created the dream midfield trio, as good as anything in the Premier League.
Last season the trio carried United to Champions League qualification and their first trophy in 56 years. At Wembley the midfield trio was astonishing, running all over Liverpool.
Skip to the present and I’m not saying Joelinton is done at Newcastle, BUT things have changed.
Last season there were signs at times and injuries sustained have increasingly had consequences.
Joelinton is still an integral part of the Newcastle United squad, but for me he is no longer an automatic first choice.
When asked for so long to name a NUFC starting XI in a must-win match, having the midfield three as first names in that team was a no-brainer.
Tonali and Bruno remain that way, but I don’t think Joelinton is necessarily automatic.
Maybe against some teams on the same occasions yes.
However, I’m seeing a lot of Jacob Ramsey over the last few games which tells me things are changing.
A more mobile and ball-carrying midfielder to play alongside Bruno and Sandro.
#Joelinton #Newcastle #United #time..