Newcastle United star Joelinton has a pretty good reason to be smiling this week.
Following his goal in the 3-0 win against Sheffield United last Sunday, the striker has finally managed to leave his drought behind, as he hadn’t scored in the Premier League since August.
The 23-year-old has now spoken ESPN Brasil, and explained why he struggled so much in this first year in England, despite never losing his place in the team.
“I knew the pressure was going to be great when I came here because I was the most expensive signing of the club,” Joelinton told ESPN Brasil.
“In the beginning, it wasn’t easy, staying so many games without scoring, the fans demanded, but I always kept working hard and I had the support of my coach and teammates”.
The striker claims he felt it was a big challenge when moving to the Premier League, and now tries to help Newcastle to have the best campaign possible.
“Very difficult league. The defenders are very strong. I felt a little of this, it’s different from Germany. Now there are more people in the attack, players close, which helps me. I’m happy and I hope to end this season well.
“The goal is to stay in the Premier League, get the points and maybe seek a better position in the league. In the Cup, we have a difficult game against Manchester City, but anything can happen and who knows we could reach a final. It’s the shortest path to a title. I hope to continue scoring goals.”
Speaking of manager Steve Bruce, Joelinton claims the manager received unfair treatment from Newcastle United fans.
“When he arrived, he came under a lot of pressure, part of the fans didn’t want him, because of his old work. A nice guy, hard worker, but who demands, and is a friend, always with word of strength. The fans acted in a wrong way with him as soon as he arrived. He’s doing his best. For me, he’s a great coach.”
On his training during the Coronavirus break, Joelinton said that may be one of the reasons why he’s already scored a goal.
“I worked a lot on finishing, I was feeling more relaxed and I was happy being able to score the goal in the end. We prepared well for the return. It wasn’t an easy moment, so much time stopped. I’d like to continue playing, that we didn’t have the break, but the moment called for it. I was able to think and analysed some games.”
Regarding his English lessons, Joelinton insists he’s been trying to improve, especially because the local media may have a bigger attention on him from now on.
“I’m learning, I already understand a lot, but speaking is difficult. I was having classes and I commented with the teacher and she told us to train more, because if the goals keep coming, we can give a better interviews (laughs).”
