Craig Hope has revealed what Eddie Howe’s long-term plans are for Newcastle United star Joelinton…
What’s the story?
The Brazilian has looked like a man transformed in recent weeks and months following Howe’s arrival as manager, with the former Hoffenheim star being reinvented as part of the Magpies’ midfield.
And now, replying to a fan question on Twitter about whether Howe now sees Joelinton as solely a central midfielder, Hope said: “I think he does, yes. He’s been asked recently & highlights Joelinton’s defensive awareness as an attribute he never appreciated he had. To that end, I’d be surprised to see him reverted to a forward role.”
Fans will be buzzing
It may have taken a long time indeed, but Joelinton finally seems like he is at home in a Newcastle United shirt.
A lot of credit has to go the Brazilian himself for his sheer perseverance and hard work in ensuring his Magpies career ended up being a success, while Howe’s own influence in better utilising him has to be lauded too.
And, after watching him deliver a midfield masterclass against Manchester United at St James’ Park towards the back end of last year, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher raved: “He was brilliant. I must be honest, the last few weeks you hear supporters who watch Newcastle every game about how well he’s been doing midfield and sometimes you think well he hasn’t done so well at the top end of the pitch, and he’s just done okay in midfield.
“But that was an outstanding midfield performance by any standard and I mean any standard in terms of any midfield play. If you put in a performance like that against Manchester United we’ll be raving about it and rightly so, he’s man of the match. Running with the ball, he was a goal threat, winning the ball back – everything involved. The power, the strength he showed.”
News that Howe envisions Joelinton as a central midfielder from now on, and that a stint back as the club’s number nine is all but over, is sure to have fans buzzing about just how good and even better he can be for the club.
Meanwhile, this Leeds star could explode at Elland Road…