Joelinton arrived at Newcastle United as a club-record striker before being dropped into midfield under Eddie Howe.
Joelinton has admitted wearing the No.9 shirt at Newcastle United weighed heavily on him during those early years.
Mike Ashley went against the grain by stumping up a club-record £40million to sign the Brazilian in 2019. With the Magpies losing Rafa Benitez as manager and striker duo Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon, Joelinton was given the goalscoring responsibility at St James’ Park.
It soon became clear that Joelinton was not going to carry a legendary mantle previously held by the likes of Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald, Andy Cole and Alan Shearer. Even in the modern age, fan favourites like Obafemi Martins and Papiss Cisse did the shirt justice.
Joelinton was never a Newcastle United striker
Just six Premier League strikes in his first two seasons made Joelinton one of the most goal-shy No.9s in Newcastle’s history. In truth, former manager Steve Bruce had not worked out the South American’s best role.
That was left to Eddie Howe, who quickly converted Joelinton into the midfield powerhouse that terrifies top-flight engine rooms today. The 28-year-old has never looked back and is now an essential cog in the Newcastle wheel.
Joelinton on Newcastle United struggles
Reflecting on those early days, Joelinton opened up about the No.9 shirt being a hindrance. He told ESPN: “I don’t think the value (of the signing) interfered (with his performance). I think the weight of carrying the No. 9 shirt, which is very heavy at this club, did… There’s the tradition of Alan Shearer.
“As for the price, we see astronomical prices in football. So, it’s not my fault that it cost that much. It was the clubs (who negotiated the price). So, in terms of value, it never got in my way.
‘Yes, it did, being the No.9 , having to solve problems and score goals (was difficult). And things didn’t work out the way we wanted at first. But I don’t regret it. It was an important step in my career. I’m very proud to be able to wear the shirt of this club.”
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Eddie Howe ‘stumbled upon’ Joelinton role
Howe revealed Joelinton’s position change was not pre-planned and happened by chance. He told reporters earlier this year: "The first time I saw him, I thought, 'what a player he is'. It led to me very quickly to thinking why has he not been a success.
"In terms of the position, we stumbled upon it and he has taken that opportunity superbly well. He has looked natural.
"In previous clubs he had played in a deeper role as a number 10, but his defensive qualities have been as good as his attacking. The player deserves huge credit for that transformation because it is not an easy transition.
"He does pride himself on being the athlete you want to see. He has strength and speed. He is like a brick wall, you cannot move him. The physical side is probably his biggest strength."
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