George Caulkin has been heaping praise on Joelinton while speaking on Pod on the Tyne following his Newcastle United display last weekend.
Newcastle’s Player of the Season last campaign was the very unlikely star performer of Joelinton, who started the season out as an unsuccessful winger/striker, however, following the arrival of Eddie Howe, he was converted into a central midfielder and has never looked back.
Last season, Joelinton was dominant in the middle of the pitch for Newcastle, leading the way in pressures, tackles and touches, but he hasn’t stopped there, as he is already leading the way in tackles and has racked up the third-most touches this term.
Caulkin was left in awe by the Brazilian’s performance against Manchester City.
(16:07) “From one extreme to the other, it’s like he was born to play this position, he was born to play this role, he was born to play this role for this club.
Should Joelinton make Brazil's World Cup squad?
Yes!
No!
“He was that misfit, he was an example of a club getting something spectacularly wrong and it seems horrible to sort of say that, but it was true. It’s as true now as it was then but my God, in the process, they’ve discovered something else.”
TIF Thoughts on Joelinton…
While Joelinton’s performances in midfield began prior to the January transfer window, it appears that playing alongside fellow countrymen Bruno Guimaraes is only helping him personally but also the club in general.
Howe appears to have struck up a good balance in his midfield trio of Joelinton, Guimaraes and Joe Willock who are all capable of getting up and down the pitch and having a positive impact on games, which is highlighted by the club’s superb start to the season.
Joelinton’s form has been so good that Eddie Howe has backed the midfielder to earn a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad which will be announced later this year, which would cap off a memorable recent few months for him.