When might Joelinton get benched at Newcastle United?

With only one goal to his name, how much longer will Joelinton continue to start for Newcastle United with no goals?

Newcastle United have won back-to-back matches and climbed up the table to 13th. Despite scoring five goals in those two victories, record-signing striker Joelinton’s lone goal was way back in the match vs. Spurs in August. While he hasn’t been a complete disaster, the lack of production is absolutely a concern.

Yes, he’s often isolated up top with the club holding very little possession. Yes, he does well to win the ball in the air and can hold up play when needed. But, as a striker in the Premier League, his job is to score goals. Newcastle United are currently tied for the third-fewest goals in the top flight and his lack of scoring is a central piece to that puzzle. He’s missed chances in areas that he needs to convert from and too often he has softly hit the ball directly at the opposing goalkeeper.

Supporters gave little sympathy to Joselu when he struggled and they gave a solid benefit of the doubt to Salomon Rondon as he worked his way to full fitness last season on loan. There’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to Joelinton. I think there’s frustration regarding his lack of goals, but there’s a lot of leeway being offered to the summer signing because of his youth and adjusting to English soccer.

With his lofty price tag, Steve Bruce and the staff at Newcastle United will give him every chance to start scoring. Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin haven’t scored either, but their impact on every match is considerably larger than Joelinton’s. The leash may be shorter if there was more direct competition at striker. Andy Carroll hasn’t been a reliable striker in years and is constantly working his way back from injuries. Dwight Gayle is a better Championship striker than a Premier League one and Yoshinori Muto flopped in his first season with the Magpies.

I wouldn’t expect them to out and out bench the Brazilian 23-year-old, but they should consider mixing in a start for Dwight Gayle. He has more pace than Joelinton and can open up things on the break, and that would give Joelinton a chance to sit down and watch the game in hopes that it slows down for him.