Newcastle United currently find themselves in with a big chance of finishing this latest Premier League season in the top four.
Having played 22 games, Eddie Howe’s side have picked up 41 points from 10 wins and 11 draws, losing just one match along the way, leaving them in fourth place.
One figure in the squad that has been a prominent player for the Toon this season is Joelinton, who has featured in all but one of Newcastle’s league games, being deployed in numerous positions across the pitch.
His efforts this season have seen the Brazilian show how effective he can be for the team in an attacking and defensive sense.
For example, as well as having the second-highest number of key passes (19) and third-highest for shots on target (11) at Newcastle, the midfielder also has the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (77) at the club.
Looking ahead to the next summer transfer window, should Howe look to strengthen his midfield, one player that the Magpies have been linked with recently that would help do that and give the Newcastle boss the chance to form a dynamic duo alongside Joelinton is Daichi Kamada.
With 160 appearances under his belt for current club Eintracht Frankfurt, the midfielder has scored 37 goals and delivered 31 assists across all competitions, and reports claim the Toon consider themselves to be frontrunners for his signature.
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This season has seen the 26-year-old show how dynamic he is and why he’d be a good fit at Newcastle alongside Joelinton.
For example, having played across the numerous positions that the Newcastle star has for his side this season, this highlights the versatility they both have and how easy it could be for them to be in the same team.
In terms of what the Japanese international has delivered for his side in the Bundesliga this term alongside his seven goals and five assists, Kamada has the third-highest total of key passes (19), shots on target (7) and combined tackles and interceptions (41) at Frankfurt.
This further showcases how similar he is to Joelinton and how the pair would be able to offer as much going forward as they can from a defensive standpoint.
Lauded as an “excellent” player by Makoto Hasebe, the Frankfurt star would surely add some extra quality and strength to Howe’s side, who would definitely benefit from having him and their Brazilian dynamo in the same team.