When it comes to late bloomers, Newcastle United flop Joselu is making a concerted effort to stand out among the best.
The striker currently finds himself playing for Real Madrid, leading the line at 33-years-old after joining them on loan from Espanyol this summer.
It’s arguably the biggest move of his career so far and one he’s been waiting all his life to get, as ESPN detail today.
They explain that when Real Madrid made the signing of Joselu official in June, ‘many raised their hands’ to question why they were doing it.
Given his age, and the fact he had already played for Real Madrid and been let go, few could see why the Spanish giants were bringing him back, particularly to replace Karim Benzema.
The striker is proving his doubters wrong early on, though, with three goals and an assist in seven games in La Liga so far, a decent return and enough to convince some.
That’s the dream for Joselu, with it well known that ‘Real Madrid is his club’. ESPN say he’s aspired to play for them his whole life, watching from afar when he could and always giving them his heart.
‘It doesn’t matter’ if he was in Newcastle, Germany or elsewhere in Spain, Madrid was “always a priority” for him according to a source.
He was disappointed not to prove himself at the club as a youngster and instead depart for spells in Germany then the Premier League, with Newcastle and Stoke, where he scored a combined 11 goals in a miserable four-year spell.
That led to a return to Spain and eventually back to Madrid, where he is now the only number nine on the books and determined to take his chance, something he appears to be doing.
According to ESPN ‘teammates are delighted with him’ and higher up the club, several middle level managers are already comparing him to the successful signing of Chicharito Hernandez, albeit with a ‘more complete profile’.
He’s proving the fans wrong too and from now on his ‘performance will be applauded’ by those watching, who were dubious about his quality but have now had it demonstrated to them.
The same can’t be said for those in the stands at St James’ Park, of course, but it does go to show failure in the Premier League doesn’t mean failure completely.
