Newcastle United will already be grateful that Dan Ashworth left to join Manchester United earlier this year.
There has been a change of sporting director at St James’ Park, with Manchester United deciding they wanted Dan Ashworth to lead their new project at Old Trafford. It was a project that appealed to Ashworth, who decided he wanted to make the move.
It turned into quite the saga, but it is one that is now over. Newcastle United agreed compensation to let Ashworth join Man United earlier this summer, while Paul Mitchell arrived on Tyneside as his replacement.
Mitchell is yet to really flex his recruitment muscles at Newcastle United, but the Magpies’ first game of the season proved why the club will be happy to see the back of Ashworth.
Joelinton inspired Newcastle against Southampton
Just like Man United, Newcastle United started the 2024/25 Premier League season with a 1-0 win at home.
It was a tough afternoon for the Magpies, who battled with 10 men to beat newly promoted Southampton. Fabian Schar’s soft red card could have cost Newcastle, but it actually ended up galvanising Eddie Howe’s players and the fans.
Joelinton ended up being the match-winner for Newcastle, with his smart finish on the stroke of half time giving the Magpies all three points.
It was his first Premier League start at St James’ Park since December 16th 2023, and the Brazilian proved how big a miss he has been.
Joelinton was immense against Southampton, covering so much ground as Newcastle aimed to compensate for being a man down. The 28-year-old was the physical presence that Eddie Howe’s side needed, with his effort off the ball playing a huge part in picking up what was a vital win.
He deserved to get the winning goal, and it will hopefully prove to be a fruitful season in the final third for the Brazil international.
What Alan Shearer said about Joelinton’s performance
On Match Of The Day, Joelinton received a lot of praise. Shearer said Joelinton is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, and he proved why that is not hyperbole with his efforts against Southampton.
In the aftermath of Newcastle’s opening day win, Shearer has continued with his praise for Joelinton on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
“Big Joelinton in midfield was a beast,” he said.
“What a performance he put it! He was incredible.”
Dan Ashworth was reluctant to give Joelinton a new contract
Joelinton’s heroics come after Newcastle’s previous sporting director was reluctant to give him a new contract.
The Telegraph reported in July that Ashworth had been holding off on giving Joelinton a contract extension earlier in the year because he was aware that the club may need to sell him due to their PSR situation.
His previous contract was set to expire in 2025, and there was talk of Newcastle cashing in on him during this summer’s transfer window.
But once Ashworth was put on gardening leave, Newcastle stepped up their efforts to keep Joelinton. He was given a new contract, while Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson left to ensure the club complied with PSR.
It was sad to see them go, but it would have been more devastating had Joelinton departed. He is a completely unique player – someone that the Magpies would have seriously struggled to replace.
And Joelinton has already proven how pivotal he is to this Newcastle team. Without him, Howe’s side probably would not have won against Southampton on Saturday.
Joelinton has already proven Ashworth wrong, while everyone associated with Newcastle United is just grateful that the £40million is still at St James’ Park.
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