Newcastle United: This is why fans were more lenient with Almiron than Joelinton

Miguel Almiron did not feel the same heat as Joelinton for not scoring goals, but there is a reason for that.

Newcastle United have done well to add more quality to their squad this summer, and the upgrades were put on display against West Ham last weekend.

The Toon Army are excited and relieved to see a proven striker like Callum Wilson lead the front line this season. Another season of Joelinton as the primary striker would have screamed relegation for Newcastle United.

The club’s record signing has failed to meet expectations on Tyneside as he only found the back of the net four times across all competitions, with two of the goals being against League One opposition.

Miguel Almiron was also in the same boat when he joined Newcastle United. The Paraguayan star was a lethal playmaker in the MLS with Atlanta United, but his overall output fell drastically in the Premier League.

Almiron joined Newcastle United in January of 2019, but did not score his first goal for the club until December 2019, when he fired in a late winner against Crystal Palace.

Almiron certainly got the ball rolling since then as he led the team in scoring (all competitions) last season, and he already has two assists in two games – Premier League and Carabao Cup – this season.

So, why are fans so much more critical of Joelinton than they were of Almiron? The answer is simple, and it has nothing to do with price tags. It all comes down to work ethic.

It took Almiron eleven months to find his stride with Newcastle United in terms of goals and assists, but he worked his socks off on the pitch. Almiron was eager to score, and he never used the “out of position” argument to create excuses when the number ten was constant deployed out wide.

Joelinton is not a traditional number nine, but he knew he was brought in to take on that role. The Brazilian has not tried to adapt to that position at all, and that is reflected in the majority of his performances.

Fans have lost all hope of him improving his form, especially after the shift he put in against Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup yesterday.

Joelinton is struggling to adapt to English football because he is not trying, and his work rate is among the lowest in the squad.

Steve Bruce dismissed rumors of Joelinton’s potential departure last week, but Bruce should reconsider that decision. Hey, Fenerbahce, do us all a favor and take him off our hands!