Joelinton had a season to remember last term after finding himself rejuvenated under Eddie Howe as a midfield enforcer. The fact that Joelinton was prepared to play there at all, after arriving as a marquee signing at £40million from Hoffenheim, showed what type of character we are dealing with after some observers had made early judgements on the Brazilian.
Going into another season Joelinton's aim is simple - and it doesn't matter where he plays. He said this summer: "For me, the most important thing is to be playing, and to just help the team.
"It doesn't matter if that's midfield or striker or any role! I am available for the coach and will always give my best. That's it really."
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The midfield area is strong at Newcastle these days with Joelinton's fellow countryman Bruno Guimaraes, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff all contesting that particular position. If Howe goes for a 4-3-3 formation, you'd say that Bruno is an automatic starter, Shelvey drops deep and the other place is up for grabs.
But those at Hoffenheim will tell you that Joelinton is effective as a right-winger or left-winger too, and that gives Howe an extra option. Here in Austria - a country that the forward knows well after a stint with Rapid Vienna - what we've witnessed so far is that Joelinton is in excellent condition again.
His physicality and never say die attitude is what got him through those tough early times in 2019/20 and 2020/21. At one stage his confidence was so low he could not manage to threaten the Rochdale defence in the FA Cup.
However, now he looks capable of taking on anybody in a top-flight midfield battle and is one of the go to men in the locker room. After not doing interviews in his early years he is now a frequent speaker in the media mixed zones, which shows his confidence is in the right place.
As far as Howe is concerned, pondering where to play Joelinton - Big Joe to his team-mates - is simply a nice problem to have. As things stand, ahead of the friendly with 1860 Munich, Howe has just two recognised centre-forwards in Callum Wilson and Chris Wood.
So game-time in the final third seems like a big possibility in pre-season - or at least until a new striker comes in. Whatever happens, Newcastle have a player on board who the club may once have sold at a loss.
Instead, the South American, at 25, has his best years ahead of him and it is likely to be at Newcastle. Here's to another big season for the terrace favourite.
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