This time last year, Joelinton was still in the early stages of his Newcastle United renaissance. But in December 2022, the Brazilian is beginning to emerge as a leader at St James’ Park.
The Brazilian played all 90 minutes of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth, where an Adam Smith own goal sent the Magpies through to the next round.
Joelinton started the game on the left flank, but ended it in the middle of the midfield. And it was a strong performance from the 26-year-old, who was one of Newcastle’s biggest attacking threats in the first half.
He then became the midfield destroyer we know he is in the second half, moving into the middle when Allan Saint-Maximin replaced Joe Willock shortly after half time.
The £40million man played well, and a report from the Chronicle details how he influenced the game without the ball as well as with it.
Joelinton emerging as a leader for Newcastle
According to the Chronicle, Joelinton could be heard shouting at his teammates during the game. They state that he was screaming ‘up, up’ during the first half, with the midfielder keen to press Bournemouth higher up the pitch.
The Chronicle add that Joelinton is now becoming a leader in the dressing room, and that was evident as he barked out instructions to his teammates during the win over Bournemouth.
It is excellent to see this from Joelinton. You never would have imagined that he would emerge as this kind of character after he first joined the Magpies back in 2019.
While he was physically imposing, his body language never made him look like someone who could take charge.
But Eddie Howe has taken his game to a completely new level – mainly by taking his career in a totally different direction. The midfield role has re-energised Joelinton, who is very much a key player at St James’ Park.
Howe has created a group that is full of leaders and vocal presences – and that now appears to include Joelinton.
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