Former Newcastle United striker Joselu has had a new lease on life since joining Deportivo Alaves back in the summer of 2019. The Spaniard is currently in his third season with the La Liga side.
In his first two seasons, he netted 11 goals with 2 assists in the 2019/20 campaign and 3 assists in the 2020/21 season. This season has been no different for the 31-year-old. He has already matched the goal tally from both seasons following a goal in a 3-1 defeat to Elche.
As for assists, Joselu has the same as his final tally in 2019/20. Alaves currently sit 19th in La Liga, so this season so far has been a struggle as a whole. But from a personal perspective, it’s been a memorable one for the former Toon striker.
The stats show that Joselu is Alaves’ main source of goals
With 11 goals and 2 assists so far, Joselu is very much the main contributor for Alaves. His 13 contributions this season make up 81.2% of their goals currently, that’s involvement in 13 out of 16 goals (OptaJose).
Another familiar face plays with Joselu at the Spanish side. Florian Lejuene also plays for Alaves at centre-back, like the Spaniard, he played the match against Elche this past weekend.
Some fans were sad to Lejuene go last summer. When fully fit he was arguably Newcastle’s best centre-back. His two late goals against Everton to steal a point at Goodison Park won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
As for Joselu, he is currently in the top 5 goal scorers this season in La Liga. Which is certainly a vast improvement from his Newcastle days.
Perhaps it’s the pace of the Premier League and also not playing to his strengths was why he never found his stride on Tyneside. Alaves, despite fighting for survival, know how to get the best out of him.
Whilst he wasn’t the best striker to ever play for Newcastle. Joselu was a hardworking likeable guy who you always felt gave 100% each time he played. So it’s nice to see he’s found his feet in La Liga.
Newcastle sold Joselu to Alaves in the summer of 2019 for £2.5 million (The Chronicle).
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