Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton will miss the club’s next two Premier League games after picking up his 10th booking of the season on Sunday.
The Brazilian’s yellow card against Crystal Palace in their 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park means he will be suspended for the games against Bournemouth and Arsenal.
Joelinton hasn’t been at his best in the middle of the park for the Magpies this season, perhaps best evidenced by the fact that he commits more fouls (1.6) than tackles (1.5) per game in the league.
The former midfielder also failed to give much to the team during his tenure in charge of Eddie Howe’s side, scoring two goals and assisting one in 25 Premier League appearances.
His struggles in and out of top-flight action in the 2025/26 campaign could put his place in the squad in doubt ahead of next season.
With the summer transfer window looming, Joelinton may need to improve his performance again quickly to avoid being replaced by Howe and the recruitment team.
If the Brazilian flop continues to struggle and doesn’t offer much on or off the ball, the Magpies could sign him to improve in the middle of the park.
According to Anfield Watch, Newcastle United are already looking for a player who can end Joelinton’s career at St. James’ Park next season.
The report claims that the Magpies are one of a number of clubs working on a deal to sign midfielder Curtis Jones from Liverpool in next summer’s transfer window.
Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle have all made contact with the Reds to inquire about a possible deal for the England international, as they look to strengthen their midfield ranks.
The 25-year-old talent is out of contract in the summer of 2027 and this summer could be Liverpool’s last chance to secure a decent fee for his services, unless they push for an extension. Reports in January suggested the fee could be as much as £30m.
How signing Curtis Jones will end Joelinton’s Newcastle career
Signing Jones in the upcoming summer transfer window could signal a change in approach for the Magpies due to his particular style of play.
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton, although they have their qualities in football, they are all high-powered midfielders who can run for days and constantly trouble the opposition with foul play and tackles.
Jones, however, is a completely different profile of midfielder. He is a small, mobile, central midfielder whose main qualities are on the ball, rather than off the ball, as Rio Ferdinand described last year when he spoke of his passing ability.
Jones is at home with the ball at his feet picking up passes and setting up teammates, evidenced by his 92% passing accuracy in the Premier League this season and a 94% success rate.
The English metronome, who was described as “underpowered” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, could help Howe change Newcastle’s style of play with a greater emphasis on controlling games with the ball.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Jones |
Joelinton |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
33 |
25 |
|
Pass accuracy |
92% |
82% |
|
Passes made in 90 |
70.86 |
32.08 |
|
Chances are created in 90 |
1.16 |
0.76 |
|
xA is 90 |
0.15 |
0.06 |
|
Long pass accuracy |
68% |
65% |
Joelinton averaged less than half as many successful passes per 90 as Jones in the Premier League, showing the difference in style between Liverpool and Newcastle and between the two central midfielders.
The England international is very comfortable on the ball, under pressure, and is able to pick out passes with a surprising degree of success, while creating chances and posing risks.
Jones, despite not being a regular player, has also won a higher percentage of his ground games (52%) than Joelinton (47%) in the Premier League this season.
However, the Brazilian won more duels (3.0) per game than Jones (2.3) and there is still an argument that he is more successful in duels, despite winning a lower percentage of them.
Overall, though, the technical quality the Liverpool star can bring to St. James’ Park as a metronome in midfield could transform Howe’s midfield and make them more capable of being considered in possession, rather than appearing off the ball.
Joelinton, therefore, could find game time very difficult to come by next season as Jones will be a smart lying player, setting the pace for Newcastle, behind Guimaraes and Tonali, which may force the Brazilian to consider his long-term future at the club.
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Newcastle lost badly against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
