Former Liverpool defender lauds Newcastle United’s Brazilian star as a ‘revelation’

Former Liverpool and England star Jamie Carragher has hailed Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder Joelinton as ‘a revelation’.

The former Hoffenheim star became the Magpies record signing when he moved to Tyneside in a £40million deal in the summer of 2019.

After initially struggling in a number of forward roles, an unexpected conversion into a midfield role has seen Joelinton flourish under Eddie Howe.

Less than 24 hours after being named as United’s player of the season, the in-form midfielder put on another hardworking display as the Magpies claimed a deserved 2-0 win against Arsenal.

Joelinton impressed Sky Sports pundit Carragher, who also paid tribute to the role Magpies boss Howe has played in his rejuvenation on Tyneside.

“He’s (Joelinton) been a revelation,” explained the former Liverpool and England defender.

“We talked at the top of the show about the reasons why Eddie Howe is on the list for manager of the year is the results, the atmosphere in this ground and that’s to do with Mike Ashley not being there as well.

“But putting Joelinton into midfielder, who would have thought that?

“This is a guy that was written off as a flop, a £40million striker that never scored a goal.

“He’s now gone into midfield and he looks a real player.

“In the summer, Newcastle are going to buy and spend, maybe bring players in, but you still think he would be at the heartbeat of this team.

“Credit to him, but credit to Eddie Howe because it’s not easy turning a striker into a midfield player.”

Joelinton will hope to round off an impressive season by helping the Magpies to a win in Sunday’s season-ending trip to relegation-threatened Burnley.