Newcastle United record signing Joelinton could be good enough to play for Brazil one day, according to South American football expert Tim Vickery.
The 6’1″ forward [Transfermarkt] completed a move to Tyneside on Tuesday, as reported by the BBC, and Vickery is expecting big things from him.
Writing in a piece for the Sun, he said: “Right footed but competent on his left, with the capacity to operate as a penalty area target man but also the vision and mobility to drop deeper and combine – this is a player with plenty to offer.
“It is not impossible to imagine Joelinton following the likes of Luiz Gustavo and Bobby Firmino and using Hoffenheim as a stepping stone to a senior international career.”
OPINION
This is a big claim from Vickery, but one that is sure to get fans salivating. Joelinton is still young at just 22, and it is only fair to point out that he still has a lot to learn. Despite some impressive stats last season for Hoffenheim, he still averaged a dispossession rate of 2.2 times per match last term, as well as 2.9 unsuccessful touches [Whoscored]. He is, nonetheless, a player with huge potential, and if he can iron out some of the creases – many of which are to be expect of a player his age, by the way – then the Toon Army could have a real player on their hands. Few people are as well versed in South American talent as Vickery, and if he is excited then the Magpies should be too. Brazil may not be the force they once were, but make no mistake, inclusion in the national squad is still a mark of true quality, and were Joelinton to get there, then the Toon Army would be on to a winner.
