Joelinton was axed from the Brazil squad and it was indicative of his slow start to the season for Newcastle
Eddie Howe, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United look dejected
Eddie Howe, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United look dejected(Image: 2025 Allstar)
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It remains one of the pivotal moments of Eddie Howe's Newcastle United reign.
When Ciaran Clark was sent off in a crucial bottom of the table clash against Norwich City at St James' Park, Howe, just weeks into his tenure at the club, made a tactical shake-up that proved to be one of the most crucial sliding doors moments in the club's recent history.
Howe moved Joelinton from up front, where he had infamously struggled for goals, back into midfield as Newcastle battled to earn a vital point with 10 men.
The Brazilian's transition into midfield was seamless and seemed to give him a new lease of life. His physical qualities in the middle of the pitch proved to be a phenomenon and he quickly picked up the tactical understanding needed for the role.
Since then, he has gone from strength and was one of the key driving forces in a team that not only escaped relegation that season but finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League, as well as reaching the Carabao Cup final, in the following campaign.
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Joelinton has blossomed into one of the league's most imposing midfielders and the successes have kept coming. He has become a full Brazil international, and was part of a midfield that dominated Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in March as Newcastle won the Carabao Cup - ending a 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, many observers were labelling Newcastle's midfield three the best in the Premier League as they went on to secure Champions League qualification against last season.
But this season has been a bit more challenging. Newcastle are 13th after 10 games in the Premier League and have lost more games (four) than they have won (three) in the league this term.
And one of the many reasons for their slow start has been Joelinton's dip in form. He is not alone in those stakes but there has been a noticeable drop off in his impact on games and for the first time under Howe, he is facing question marks over his position in the team.
A glass half full perspective would argue that is a consequence of Newcastle having better competition for places. The £40million arrival of Jacob Ramsey in the summer has increased the quality of the Magpies' midfield options and Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are waiting in the wings, too.
But on the flipside, Joelinton's form across the last three seasons has been so imperious that there wouldn't even be a discussion had he maintained those levels at the start of this season.
It is telling that he was not picked in Brazil's latest squad for their upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, with Guimaraes, West Ham's Lucas Paqueta, Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos, as well as veterans Casemiro (Manchester United) and Fabinho (Al-Ittihad) being preferred instead.
How Joelinton responds to this setback will shape his success this season both at club and international level with next summer's World Cup on the horizon.
Howe will protect him on Tyneside. When asked whether Ramsey had emerged as a genuine alternative for Joelinton's physical qualities in midfield, the former Bournemouth boss almost laughed off the suggestion before praising the Brazilian.
"I don't think you can underestimate the strength of our midfield options. You forget Joe Willock's qualities, he has been an outstanding player for us historically," the Magpies boss told Chronicle Live.
"All those players will bring their own unique qualities to that position. Jacob will bring his own qualities to that position, he is very technical but Joelinton's qualities are really rare and ones that we cherish. Joe can play in any of those positions and he is very flexible which is one of his big strengths.
"But it is that competition for places and it is great to see it in that position hotting up."
There will be no knee jerk reaction from Howe and Joelinton will be afforded the opportunity to rediscover his form in the coming weeks. It would be a surprise to not see him in the starting line-up against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
But privately there will be acknowledgement that there has been a performance dip so far this season - though he is far from alone in that camp.