Joelinton has impressed for Newcastle United since Eddie Howe took charge at St James’ Park in November 2021.
The Magpies signed the 28-year-old from TSG Hoffenheim and used him mainly as a striker in his first two seasons. He managed six goals in the Premier League in his first two campaigns at the club.
UOL now state Joelinton’s days at Newcastle were numbered before Howe’s arrival.
The manager changed his position and mainly used the Brazil international in the middle of the pitch. UOL also spoke to the player, and he heaped praise on Howe.
“It’s a position I’ve always enjoyed playing. Not as a holding midfielder, but as a midfielder who could float around, play with two strikers, and be involved in the game. I think the coach helped me a lot with this change,” he said.
“Not just Eddie, who changed my position, but in Germany, when I worked with [Julian] Nagelsmann. I learnt a lot from him tactically, and I think that helped me to be able to understand.”
Newcastle appointed Howe as their manager weeks after Saudi Arabia’s PIF invested in the club October 2021.
Joelinton arrived at the Premier League side when Mike Ashley owned the club. Newcastle finished in the bottom half of the table in the South American’s first two seasons.
Despite their struggles on the pitch at the time, the Magpies star has pointed out the general acceptance from fans. He mentioned this when explaining the difference between fan culture in England and Brazil.
“I’ve been through Newcastle’s worst period, and I don’t think the pressure is the same as in Brazil,” Joelinton explained.
“People in front of the training centre, protesting, is something we don’t have here. It’s a different way of looking at football. The pressure here is on the pitch. If it goes beyond the four lines, you have to be respectful.
“It works like this: if the team is going through a bad phase, you can go to dinner with your family after the game in peace. Nobody is talking or trying to hit you in the restaurant. Of course, you have to be respectful.
“If the team is doing badly, you don’t go to a party or anything like that, the player has to be respectful too. Understand that if you’re not in the best moment, it’s not the time to leave.
“The fans are the ones who fill the stadium, who pay for the expensive tickets. The player has to understand the moment the club is in. There’s no point in playing, losing and saying: ‘I’m going to leave as if nothing had happened’.”
Joelinton has made five appearances this season and scored the winner against Southampton.
