Newcastle United has leaned heavily on bringing in neophytes this summer, but the club also retained a few experienced players to help guide the young squad forward, with Dan Burn taking over as captain and Joelinton named vice-captain under Matthias Jaissle.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Newcastle is planning to keep Joelinton beyond the January transfer window despite previous speculation over his future and his desire to move to Saudi Arabia last summer.
The 30-year-old was linked
with a move to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, but ultimately stayed in Tyneside. Joelinton, however, has yet to feature this season because of a muscle injury suffered in August.
Even then, O’Rourke reported that the midfielder is nearing a return after the international break and is expected to take on a significant leadership role once available.
“He’s vice-captain at the club, so that just shows the high regard that he’s held at St James’ Park,” O’Rourke said. “I think he’ll have a key role for Newcastle this season and beyond, because obviously we know that the project that Newcastle are undergoing right now in signing young players with high potential and high ceilings.”
O’Rourke added that Newcastle’s increasingly youthful squad makes Joelinton’s experience particularly important, and thus the Magpies will likely retain him for the short-term future.
“They’ll obviously need some experience and understanding of the club around that, and Joelinton offers that in abundance, so I think he’s got a key role to play,” O’Rourke said.
Jaissle had already demonstrated his faith in Joelinton by appointing him vice-captain before the Brazilian had played a competitive game under the new head coach.
Should Newcastle keep Joelinton beyond this season as a senior leader, or eventually make room for a younger midfield option? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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