Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has not hit top form this season, and could find himself replaced.
Eddie Howe must perform quite the inquest after Newcastle United’s defeat at West Ham United on Sunday.
Newcastle took the lead through Jacob Murphy but fell apart in a dreadful loss.
Howe needs to consider changes to his team moving forward, and Joelinton’s role is up for debate.
The Brazilian continues to offer physicality in Newcastle’s engine room, but his influence on games is diminishing.
Ederson Jose dos Santos Lourenco da Silva of Atalanta BC in
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Newcastle United eye Ederson as Joelinton heir
Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are virtually undroppable, so if Howe is to make a change in midfield, it would surely be to replace Joelinton.
Joelinton’s switch from misfiring striker to all-action midfielder has been one of the great success stories of the Howe era.
Unfortunately, Newcastle may now need to move on from the popular Brazilian in order to continue progressing.
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iNews report that voices inside Newcastle suggested forming a succession plan for Joelinton over the summer.
Newcastle brought in Jacob Ramsey as another midfield addition, but he is not quite in the Joelinton mould.
Newcastle are looking at other potential additions, with Atalanta’s Ederson believed to be a target.
Ederson – a Brazilian midfielder just like Joelinton – has been discussed in Toon recruitment meetings.
A January push to sign Ederson looks unlikely, but he is a name to keep in mind for the summer transfer window if Joelinton doesn’t turn his performances around.
Newcastle United have fancied Ederson for a while
Links to Ederson will come as no surprise to many Newcastle fans.
The Atalanta star has been on Newcastle’s radar for some time now, having impressed in Serie A.
Newcastle eyed Ederson around this time last year, but January passed without any major push for his signature.
The Magpies also looked at Ederson this past summer, again viewing him as a potential heir to Joelinton.
That idea appears to still be in place, and Newcastle may well push for his signature come 2026.