Newcastle United star Joelinton’s stunning renaissance in the words of team-mates and manager

The resurgence of Newcastle United, who went from relegation certainties to Champions League qualifiers inside 18 months, can often be cast off as success forged in a lavish spend in the transfer market.

Of course, it would be foolish to ignore the over £250m spent by the Saudi-led consortium that took control at St James’ Park in October 2021 and ended 13 years of restricted investment and limited ambition imposed on the Magpies by former owner Mike Ashley.

But it would be equally foolish to push aside the impressive work of Eddie Howe and his coaching staff, who has coaxed significant improvement out of several of the players he inherited from his predeccesor Steve Bruce when he stepped into the home dugout less than a month after the takeover.

Many have pointed to Miguel Almiron’s goalscoring prowess, Fabian Schar’s cool and composed defending and Jacob Murphy’s remarkable upturn in form as integral to the remarkable progress under Howe. But the renaissance story of Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who has gone from shot-shy striker to powerhouse midfielder, has matched the Magpies upturn in fortunes every step of the game.

Just days after the United star made a long-awaited internatiaonl debut, we looks back at the journey Joelinton has made during four years on Tyneside with a little help from his managers and team-mates.

Arrival

Little was known of the man that had become the Magpies record signing - and the fact then-Magpies owner Mike Ashley had belied his frugal nature in favour for a unexpectedly lavish spend on something of an unknown quantity provoked intrigue, rather than excitement.

Questions were asked, as some suggested Ashley had used the deal as a retort to former manager Rafa Benitez’s accusations of stunted ambition and investment by handing a new signing to the Spaniard’s successor, Steve Bruce.

Benitez was said to be unconvinced when offered a deal for Joelinton prior to his own departure and believed value lay elsewhere in the transfer market. Yet Ashley pressed on and secured a deal and Bruce was handed a club record signing within a week of replacing the popular Benitez.

All of the talk was of Joelinton being handed the famous number nine shirt, one worn by Magpies club legends such as Jackie Milburn, Malcolm MacDonald and Alan Shearer, with the new signing referencing the latter after putting pen-to-paper on a six-year deal.

He said: “I’m really happy to be here,” said Joelinton, who will wear the number nine shirt at St James’ Park. I know it is a huge responsibility, the great Alan Shearer, the team’s biggest idol (wore it) I know it is a big responsibility, but I am prepared. I know it is a large investment that the club has made in me, and that comes with a huge responsibility.

There were warnings and many Bundesliga experts warned Joelinton was not the ‘number nine’ Newcastle craved, but more suited to a role as a number ten, playing off a main striker or in wide forward role. Those warnings were not heeded.

Promise

The early signs were encouraging as Joelinton found the net in pre-season wins against Hibernian and St Etienne and the Brazilian did not have long to wait to open his Premier League account.

After emerging pointless from a home clash with Arsenal and a visit to Norwich City, the Magpies earned something of a shock win at Tottenham Hotspur, with Joelinton getting the only goal of a tight contest in North London.

His new manager was impressed, with Bruce saying: “I am delighted that Joelinton got the goal today. We played him a lot better today, it worked and he will be delighted to get the goal. “He was a handful all game. He was terrific in his attitude and workrate towards it. It fell for him and he stuck it away great. The kid was absolutely out on his feet. He’s fine but he was exhausted.”

It would be another 27 games before the forward found the net in the Premier League.

Struggle

Goals did come but they were not against the Premier League’s leading lights - but against Rochdale and Oxford United in FA Cup replays as United made their way to the quarter-final before suffering a home defeat against Manchester City.

In Joelinton’s defence, his introduction to life in England came in an unfamiliar role as part of a struggling side that were only too happy to allow their opposition to dominate possession and the flow of the game.

The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic hardly aided the settling-in process as doubt was cast across the Premier League season. However, Joelinton was able to find the net once more when the campaign belatedly resumed after a three-month break as the Magpies claimed a 3-0 home win in front of empty stands at St James’ Park.

Not for the first time in a season of struggle, the United number nine received the support of his manager, with Bruce telling Sky Sports: “He (Joelinton) wants to do well: it’s never easy being given the number nine shirt to play for Newcastle, never. With the history of the club and what it is, it thrives on the number nine. “He’s a young lad, and to come from a different country and league, there’s no doubt he’s found it tough. He found it tough today again, but he’s got a goal and hopefully that will make him a lot better.”

Decline

Four goals in 44 appearances in all competitions hardly screamed of an inspired record signing as a lack of confidence and beliefs radiated out of Joelinton when his second season on Tyneside got underway.

The arrival of Callum Wilson hardly aided his cause as the England striker was immediately handed the role as Bruce’s first-choice striker. As Bruce tinkered with his side, Joelinton found himself in several roles, showing some small signs of improvement without really convincing they were long-lasting indications of progress.

Once again, goals were few and far-between, with a strike in a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace being his only goal before Christmas. There were some suggestions a loan move to a number of Turkish clubs was on the agenda - but once again Bruce showed his support, stating Wilson and Joelinton could play alongside each other, despite the latter still struggling for form.

He said: “For me, it’s all about creating a squad, and I hope Joe will rise to the challenge. We all know he’s a good player underneath it all.There’s a 24-year-old lad playing, getting used to the Premier League and he found it tough. I hope he can play alongside him at times and do well.”

With his second season at a close, Joelinton’s record consisted of just four goals in 37 appearances in all competitions.

Surprise

Joelinton’s third season also began on the bench as Bruce’s side claimed just one point from their opening three games of the 2021/22 campaign.

A first win did not arrive until Wilson got the only goal against Burnley at St James’ Park on the first Saturday of December, by which time a Saudi-led consortium had completed a protracted takeover and Eddie Howe had replaced Bruce in the dugout.

But it was during the previous midweek that an unexpected turn of events made a significant impact on Joelinton’s Newcastle United career. With just nine minutes gone in a crucial home game against relegation rivals Norwich City, Howe’s side were reduced to ten men when Ciaran Clark saw red for a professional foul on Teemu Pukki. The decision led to Joelinton being played in a new deep midfield role and a monster was created.

Tackles were won, a physical presence and confidence were found. Quite simply, Joelinton dominated in the centre of the park and looked at home in a new position. A 1-1 draw left United in trouble - but the Joelinton revolution was underway - although the man himself had some doubts.

Reflecting on the game almost 12 months on, he told the Cast FC Podcast: “It was against Norwich at home, we’d started the game really well. Then in the ninth minute, our defender got sent off, and Eddie put me back in the middle. And he asked me to close down the middle there, the normal tactical part.

“I did very well, I played very well, I defended well, I attacked, I did everything the position asked of me, and because I was a player short, I was able to do well”

Support

Some speculated the improvement would be short-lived - but Joelinton proved the doubters wrong with a dominating performance against Manchester United as his side battled to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

Howe declared the performance as ‘incredible’ as the Magpies record signing bullied his Red Devils counterparts - including Brazilian compatriot Fred - throughout with a display that had all of the hallmarks of a top class midfielder in the works.

The performance led to a stern defence of his team-mate by Magpies midfielder Sean Longstaff, as he told a Sky Sports reporter who expressed surprise at Joelinton’s performance: “Honestly, if you ask anyone in the dressing room we know he’s that good regardless of what the outside people say. I think the disrespect he gets is a disgrace to be honest. I can honestly say everyday in training he’s the best player. If he’s on your team, you’re winning. If you get Joel you’re sort of buzzing.”

Less than a month later, the arrival of another Brazilian provided a further boost as United completed the signing of Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. It proved a shrewd move as the two Samba stars provided support for each other and played a significant role in helping their side move away from the relegation zone and into mid-table safety during the second half of the season.

Confidence flowed as a bond was created and Howe expressed his determination to make the most of his Brazilian duo, saying “They’re a joy to work with. They do have that inner strength. They’re both great people and they’ve become integral to the squad. They’re settled in and are very popular. They do have a slight flamboyance with the way they play. I’m delighted with both of them. Long may that continue really.”

Setback

Now firmly established as a midfielder or in the left-sided forward role many suggested was his favourite, Joelinton was suddenly being spoken of as a potential Brazil international as his fourth season on Tyneside got underway just months before the World Cup Finals.

The former Hoffenheim star picked the perfect time to notch his second goal of the season as he found the net in a 4-0 home win against Aston Villa that was watched by Brazil manager Tite just days before he named his squad for the World Cup Finals.

Despite playing an integral role in helping Newcastle burst into the top four of the Premier League table, Joelinton’s name was nowhere to be seen when the Brazil squad was announced in the early weeks of November 2022.

The disappointment, not just from the player himself but from the St James’ Park faithful that had taken him to their hearts, was all too evident. It spread to Guimaraes, who was on the plane to Qatar but expressed his ‘sadness’ Joelinton had not joined him.

“I’m sad for him because I hoped he would be in the squad with me,” said Bruno from the World Cup training camp. He’s a great player who has been playing really well this season. He has helped me a lot since I arrived and I see him as my brother.”

Belief

Despite his World Cup disappointment, Joelinton’s form rarely dipped as the Magpies went on to secure a top four place and a spot in the upcoming season’s Champions League. One goal in a 6-1 hammering of Tottenham Hotspur summed up his rejuvenation in fortunes and his unwavering confidence as the midfielder timed his run perfectly, before producing a sumptuous first touch from a Fabian Schar pass to round Hugo Lloris and tap into the empty net.

Despite missing the last two games of a historic season, Joelinton’s place as a key figure in Howe’s squad is assured. The midfielder was on the pitch following a goalless draw with Leicester as his team-mates celebrated their Champions League qualification. He went viral, interrupting a Dan Burn interview with NUFC TV by singing the anthem of UEFA’s premium competition.

The man himself added: “It’s an amazing feeling, it’s been a long season, we worked so hard so now, to be in the Champions League, it’s a great achievement for everyone. I am so happy for the fans.”

Achievement

Seven months on from his World Cup heartache, Joelinton’s moment arrived.

After hinting over a possible call-up for the Magpies star, Brazil interim manager Ramon Menezes named Joelinton in a squad for a friendly double-header against Guinea and Senegal, handing him a first senior cap in the former of those two games. A boyhood dream was fulfilled, Joelinton netted the first goal of a 4-1 win, he had arrived on the international scene and hadn’t looked out of place featuring alongside stars from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

“I was dreaming in the bedroom, imagining this moment,” he told a pitch side reporter. “First game of the national team, it is a great pride. I was remembering the time as a child, from the sieve in Sport and all the way here. There was a movie in my head. At the time of the goal it was a dream. I’m very happy.”

More dreams will be fulfilled over the coming months as a once lost Joelinton now feels at home at St James’ Park.