BBC pundit Dany Murphy believes that Newcastle United’s in-form Joelinton has been “galvanised” since being given a deeper midfield role.
Following Monday night’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told Sky Sports that he had envisaged playing Joelinton in the number 10 role, or as a second striker, when he was appointed as the club’s new manager.
But after going down to ten men against Norwich last month, following a Ciaran Clark red card, the Brazilian filled in as a number eight as Newcastle had to shuffle the pack.
But the former Bournemouth boss thought Joelinton was “absolutely brilliant” defensively and his tactical understanding of the position was at such a “high level” that the 44-year-old thought he had the “technical capabilities” to play the position.
After winning match of the match against Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils, Newcastle’s number seven received high praise from his teammates, as well as Sean Longstaff and Magpies fans leaping to his defence following a post-match interview with a Sky Sports reporter.
His performance against United was analysed on last night’s Match of the Day, and he drew high praise from former England midfielder Murphy.
Murphy said: “He’s a different player. Absolutely incredible, he’s been galvanised after being given that new role. He’s got the hunger, the athleticism to play it, maybe the burden of not having to go on the pitch and score goals has helped him and freed him up.
“I like the balance he has got in his game. The amount of times he gets back in and wins the ball for his team is incredible.
“He’s got the confidence in his game to get his team up the pitch and beat people. But I think the rise of Joelinton at Newcastle has probably been the biggest surprise of the season for the Geordies and long may it continue for him because he works really hard.”
Following the injuries to star duo Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, Murphy believes that Joelinton will be “key” to Newcastle’s chances of picking up points in the coming weeks, with his “bite” in midfield.
Newcastle and Joelinton won’t be back in action tomorrow night as the clash against Everton has been postponed due to the Magpies’ injury situation and number of Covid-19 cases.
The Premier League’s decision to postpone the clash at Goodison Park was welcomed by some Newcastle fans.
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