Alan Shearer has admitted to ‘feeling sorry’ for Newcastle United’s Joelinton.
The Brazilian, who was signed by the Magpies under former manager Steve Bruce, endured a torrid time when he first arrived from Hoffenheim in 2019.
Played out of position as a lone striker, Joelinton’s disastrous opening few seasons saw him come in for heavy criticism from both fans and pundits alike.
However, now working under Eddie Howe and seeing his position changed to a more wide-midfield role, Joelinton is thriving and has arguably been the Magpies’ best player all season.
And given his thoughts on the previously-stricken South American, Shearer, who spoke to the Premier League, said: “I felt sorry for Joelinton when he first came to Newcastle,”
“It was unfair to put him in the position that he did.
“Give him the number nine shirt. Pay that amount of money for him and expect him to be their saviour by scoring goals when that wasn’t his job. That wasn’t what he was brought in to do, in terms of what the fans expected of him.
“The way Eddie has gone in and handled him and turned him into a crowd favourite. They always appreciated him because he never hid. He always wanted the ball, however tough it was for him and Newcastle fans appreciated that.
“But what he is doing now is incredible. He is aggressive, on the front foot and he’s scoring goals. He has turned into an incredible player for Newcastle.”