Report: What Newcastle players are telling Joelinton about his midfield role

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Seeing Joelinton thrive in midfield is still a strange sensation for Newcastle United fans.

The 25-year-old joined the Magpies as a striker in 2019. He was given the number nine shirt too, a jersey that will always be associated with scoring goals in the black and white of Newcastle.

However, that never happened for Joelinton. Combine that with the £40million fee, and the deal was turning into a bit of a farce.

But his fortunes have changed this season, with Eddie Howe getting performances out of Joelinton that no one knew was possible.

He even has a new position at St James’ Park – and his teammates are quick to tease him about how it all happened.

Joelinton ‘owes’ Ciaran Clark for midfield epiphany

The first time we saw Joelinton in centre-midfield was November 30th – the third game of Howe’s Toon tenure. And it’s all because of Ciaran Clark’s moment of madness against Norwich.

The Republic of Ireland defender was sent off in the ninth minute, needlessly pulling Teemu Pukki down as he raced through on goal. At the time, Alan Shearer said it was a ‘crazy, stupid decision‘ from the defender.

The red card effectively cost Newcastle the game that night, but it spawned the Joelinton we know today. He performed so well in his new midfield role that Howe has put him there permanently, and he hasn’t looked back.

He’s now a fan favourite, with his own chant and Hawaiian shirts. And it’s all down to Clark.

That’s what Joelinton’s teammates are telling him, according to the Athletic. They state that the Newcastle players jokingly remind the Toon number seven that he ‘owes’ Clark for everything.

Meanwhile, Clark remains on the sidelines after failing to make Howe’s renewed 25-man Premier League squad.

If Clark hadn’t been sent off against Norwich, who knows how Joelinton’s future would’ve panned out. He was already improving under Howe, but he’s now a key player in his midfield role.

Every time the Samba star performs, we must remember to raise a glass to Clark and his idiotic red card against the Canaries.