Paul Scholes says he has never seen a player so dramatically transformed as Joelinton this season. Joelinton bagged two goals in Newcastle United’s 3-0 win against Norwich City at Carrow Road yesterday. The other scorer was Bruno Guimaraes, making the scoresheet an all-Brazilian affair.
Joelinton's goals were all the sweeter after the dreadful start to his career at Newcastle, being unveiled as a number nine, a position he was never comfortable with under previous manager Steve Bruce. New boss Eddie Howe then moved Joelinton to the midfield, where he has shone this season.
At Norwich, with Chris Wood dropped to the bench, Joelinton was again asked to take a more forward role by Howe. Joelinton showed that his confidence in front of goal has increased enormously in the past few months, hitting a great strike for his first, then keeping his cool to tap in the second.
READ MORE: Sean Longstaff's view of how much Eddie Howe has changed Newcastle United
Speaking on Premier League Productions, via HITC, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes said of Joelinton: “If you have ever seen a player turnaround his career at a club, I have never seen anything like this. He was dead and buried playing as a centre-forward.
“Then Eddie brought him in as a midfield player and he’s even scoring goals now. What a goal that is (the first). What a great finish.
“Then he is getting on the end of things, as well as being industrious in the centre of the pitch. [Murphy] did get a little fortune here, a little lucky, he’s going for goal, and then Joelinton finishes it well with his left foot.”
Joelinton has four goals and one assist this season. His greater contribution up to now however has been in the form of defensive duties and moving the ball up the pitch.
