Joelinton - The inspiring story of Newcastle's Brazilian beast
On 23rd July 2019 - five years ago last week - Newcastle United handed over £40m to Hoffenheim for a little known 'forward' Joelinton. Little did we understand just how valuable that £40m would be.
Joelinton Cassio Apolinario do Lira, started at Brazilian side Sport Recife in 2010, working his way through their youth ranks before leaving for Hoffenheim in 2015. Soon after arriving in Germany, he spent two seasons on loan with Austrian side Rapid Wien from 2016. In that time he scored at the death at home to LASK Linz, playing all of Wien’s 2016/17 Europa League matches. He enjoyed a good season at Hoffenheim on his return, becoming a regular under Julian Nagelsmann, scoring 11 goals and featuring in their 2018/19 Champions League campaign. Up to 23rd July 2019, it was hardly a remarkable career. A player with many physical attributes but one who lacked confidence, skill and composure. But the roots were there to be seen, the player had skill and plenty of raw attributes to work with.
Newcastle shelled out £40m on that skill, he had the physical attributes to succeed under the right system. By no means, was Joelinton a striker, a forward at best. But coming to Steve Bruce's Newcastle, a striker he would have to be. Under Bruce, it would take him 2,130 minutes to score his first goal for the Magpies. Overall, only scoring two goals in 38 appearances, one notably, against Tottenham away in his debut season in the Premier League as many labelled him a '£40m flop' who couldn't hit a barn door or trap a bag of cement.
The following season, deployed similarly as a striker or as a left forward, he doubled his tally to four goals all season. So, that's six goals in two years for our then club-record signing, mixed in with some troubling displays and plenty of criticism both in the stands and online.
In 2021-22, there was a remarkable chance across the football club, where the takeover from PIF, Rueben brothers and Amanda Staveley marked a new era at the football club, and so it would for Joelinton. A once ridiculed forward, would soon become a fan favourite and different beast to the man and player we'd seen struggle for two years.
It started with a red card. Not for the Brazilian, but Ciaran Clark, who was sent off in the ninth minute of a crucial home clash with relegation rivals Norwich City. This meant a tactical change for Eddie Howe, seeing him move Joelinton into midfield. That was only the beginning. The Brazilian shone, asserting his physical presence on a game that was foreign to supporters for the last two seasons. This was the beginning of Joelinton 2.0.
Over the transition into the new season, Joelinton bulked up. He became an enforcer that can only be likened to the likes of Keane or Viera. Transitioning under there sterwardship of Howe from a forward to a left hand sided 'No.8' that can move into the left forward position. He became deadly, destructive and quickly a fan favourite. He'd never gave up at Newcastle, even through the tough times, but now he was having a huge impact on the pitch and putting that power and size to great use.
Performances against Tottenham (winning 6-1) through bossing the midfield, sublimely linking up with Willock and Isak was one of many highlights, as was stretching the lines with Schar’s long range passing as he looked clinical in a 5-1 away win against West Ham.
Joelinton epitomised physicality, composure and desire. Pumping fists at the Gallowgate in vital matches against Leicester. He understood what it meant t play for Newcastle. The hard work, Howe-inspired intensity and passion. Ultimately leading to his call up to the Brazil National Squad, which was well deserved.
From a player that struggled for confidence and was a slim build, Joelinton has developed himself into an enforcer. A voice in the dressing room to provide solidity and inspiration to turn things around, for the betterment of the team. His bond with Bruno cannot go unsaid, with the fellow Brazilian best man at his wedding and midfield partner on the pitch.
Joelinton has went on to be one of the best box to box midfielders in the league. Versus other midfielders across the top leagues in Europe, he is in the 97th percentile for non-penalty xG, 92nd percentile for expected assisted goals, 94th for touches in the attacking penalty area and in the 74th percentile across interceptions, tackles and blocks.
He has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Howe. not only for his performances on the pitch, but his presence and resilience in the dressing room. He has and is invaluable. The tenacity shown in the press by Joelinton perfectly sets the tone for an Eddie Howe press and counter-press, normally being the first out of the blocks ot leave a tackle on an opposing midfielder or defender. Setting the standard for the performance and engaging the crowd immediately.
