The question that needs answering about the Joelinton deal

It seemed an extraordinary thing to say about a £40million striker.
Joelinton takes on the Arsenal defence in Sunday's defeat at the Emirates Stadium.Joelinton takes on the Arsenal defence in Sunday's defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Joelinton takes on the Arsenal defence in Sunday's defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Steve Bruce was taking questions on Newcastle United’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, where his team had been very good for 45 minutes. And then very bad for 45 minutes.

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“He does a lot of unselfish work outside the box, but we have to find a way of getting him into the box for the crosses that Allan (Saint-Maximin) put in,” said Bruce, United’s head coach. “He’s played a lot of his career to a side, and not played as an out-and-out No.9. He’s 22, and there’s a lot he has to learn.”

Joelinton, ultimately, will be judged on goals. He’s scored once – and had 11 shots on target – in 2,040 minutes of Premier League football. And seven months after he joined, there are more questions than answers about the club-record deal.

Newcastle, after losing loanee Salomon Rondon, needed a No.9. So why did the club pay that fee for a player who doesn’t yet know how to play as an out-and-out-striker?

Yes, Joelinton, the club’s only fit senior striker, has done some good work outside the box, and he’s carried injuries. He’s played on, and he deserves credit for that.

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But fans want to see their No.9 make runs into the box, get in front of defenders and attack balls into the box. He hasn’t done that nearly enough.

Mike Ashley, United’s owner, revealed last July that Rafa Benitez vetoed the proposed deal in his last months as manager.

Ashley said: “As a manager, why wouldn't you want Joelinton?”

Bruce – who said it was “insulting” to claim he wouldn’t have the final say on every transfer after his appointment – enthusiastically backed the deal after succeeding Benitez.

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“He’s big, strong and athletic, and he’s got age on his side too,” said Bruce. “He’s got all the attributes a top striker needs.”

However, was Joelinton bought because he was the player the team needed? Or was he more a player the club felt could eventually be sold on at a profit?