Former Newcastle United midfielder Jeff Hendrick says who was the best player at the club during his time
When Jeff Hendrick signed for Newcastle United in the summer of 2020, it was almost the perfect summation of life under Mike Ashley - a sub-par player signed on a free. The club had just given up.
There was brief hope when Hendrick scored a blinder of a goal on the opening game of the season against West Ham, but that ended up being his best and possibly only positive contribution.
Hendrick came in at the worst possible time. Newcastle as a club was dead, just a husk going through the motions while talk of a potential takeover rumbled on in the background.
Our most expensive signing at the time was Joelinton. A Brazilian brought in from Hoffenheim in Germany after impressing as a winger, handed the number 9 shirt at Newcastle will the pressure of sporting that iconic number along with the tag of club record signing, then to add insult to injury, he was thrown up front and expected to score 20 goals a season despite it not being his game at all.
Jeff Hendrick says Joelinton was Newcastle's best player during his time there
As a result, Joelinton was branded a flop. Fans couldn't wait to get rid of him. Now, the Brazilian is a genuine Toon hero and a firm fan favourite after Eddie Howe came in and pulled him into the midfield. This isn't something that surprised Hendrick, who told Boyle Sports (via The Mag) that he would tell friends that Joelinton was the best player in Newcastle's squad.
"I actually have a pal who’s a Newcastle fan.
“He was delighted when I signed for them, but when Joelinton joined he was saying he’s not good, this and that.
“I know the price tag was there and then getting the number nine jersey, but I’m nearly sure he wasn’t an out and out striker before he went to Newcastle.
“We were under a lot of pressure at the time. The club wasn’t in a good place. It was a little bit toxic. But after a week, my pal was like, saying he’s rubbish and this and that.
“I was like, he’s the best player here. He’s literally got everything. He’s like, no chance, no way. I said, honestly, he’s big, strong, quick, runs all day, brilliant on the ball. I said, he’s just not going to score you 20 goals a season.
“I’m sure it was just before Eddie Howe came in, or possibly when Howe came in, they started bringing him back. They played him in the 10, then sort of two eights, but he had the license to roam into the 10 position.
“I remember we played Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds and it was man for man. And then one of the tactics was, get the ball to Joelinton, because they won’t take the ball off him.
“He was that good. So to see him transition is crazy, but I don’t think he was an out and out striker. But it doesn’t surprise me at all because I think he’s brilliant and he looks so comfortable in there. With the other two lads, they all suit each other. They all have different roles as midfielders and he doesn’t look out of place at all.”
Joelinton is the symbol of change at Newcastle United
Hendrick wasn't alone in his assessment, as several players had hailed Joelinton as Newcastle's best player even when he was struggling for form.
It just shows what a good coach can do when they pay attention to their players. Steve Bruce was told Joelinton was a striker, and he never questioned it. Eddie Howe judged for himself, spotted what his strengths were and adapted accordingly.
Joelinton is the poster boy for the change Eddie Howe created at the club; he's the literal personification of the difference between Bruce and Howe.
