NUFC midfielder called up to the Brazil National Team
On Sunday interim manager of Brazil, Ramon Menezes sat down to announce his Brazil Squad, he declared who his midfielders were; “Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle United, Casemiro Manchester United, Joelinton – Newcastle United”.
The clip was later shown reposted on his Instagram account of Joelinton and you could hear the exclamations of jubilation from his friends and family when his name was proclaimed by interim manager Menezes on television.
The plaudits of Joelinton have flooded in this season, with the Magpies’ midfielder forming a formidable partnership with countryman Bruno Guimaraes. The Magpies will be hoping to further strengthen the midfield trio this summer with an additional quality player, such as Ugarte.
Having showcased his flexibility playing in the center as a midfield enforcer, or out on the left as a powerful winger, he has recorded one of the highest goals tallies in his career with 6 league goals, further emphasizing his contribution to Newcastle’s Champions League qualification, as well as the merit of his international call-up.
On Joelinton’s selection for the Brazilian National team, Howe (Speaking to NUFC TV) after the season’s finale at Chelsea, remarked that “he’s been so consistent now for 18 months, we love him he can play in so many roles”.
“He is one of the best midfielders in the league”, this is deserved praise for Joelinton who has completed a remarkable turnaround since Howe’s arrival in November 2021.
Toon fan’s emphatic chants of he’s Brazilian and he only cost 40 million seem a far cry from Steve Bruce’s reign at Newcastle when the Brazilian endured languishing form, and the player was stuck up top as a target man and was lambasted by pundits and fans alike.
Significantly, as the Independent’s Douglas has previously alluded to, the arrival of Eddie Howe as head coach of Newcastle promoted a revival in Joelinton’s fortunes at the club, who realized his potential in playing in the number 6 role after a tactical reshuffle was needed against Norwich following a red card to Ciaran Clark. Joelinton had briefly comprised this role at Rapid Wien, and with tactical work has become a mainstay in a high-intensity pressing Newcastle Side.
However, it must be said that a key driver in his transformation from flop to integral midfielder was the Brazilian himself.
He took up the task of getting a personal trainer to improve his physicality for the Premier League, similarly, he hired an analyst so that he could be better prepared and review his matches, which has enabled him to progress rapidly in his Midfield role.
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His defensive indicators such as blocks, interceptions, and recoveries speak for themselves, marking him out as one of the best in the league over the last year and a half – with the Brazil call-up a recognition of his transformation.