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[THREAD] Why Joelinton hasn’t been successful (yet) at #Newcastle using data and tactical analysis. Shares and feedback appreciated! (1/?)
![[THREAD] Why Joelinton hasn’t been successful (yet) at #Newcastle using data and tactical analysis. Shares and feedback appreciated! (1/?)](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ef9AHemWkAYOUhF.jpg "[THREAD] Why Joelinton hasn’t been successful (yet) at #Newcastle using data and tactical analysis. Shares and feedback appreciated! (1/?)")
Let’s start by comparing his player radar at #Hoffenheim (left) and #Newcastle (right)
His statistical profile at Hoffenheim was an impressive mix of dribbling, creativity and goal-scoring, it has been a sharp decline at #NUFC (2/?)
His statistical profile at Hoffenheim was an impressive mix of dribbling, creativity and goal-scoring, it has been a sharp decline at #NUFC (2/?)
His positional fit has been questioned but don’t let anyone tell you he is not a center forward, he made 80% of his appearances at CF for Hoffenheim. He played once as a second striker and six times as a winger. At #Newcastle, Joelinton has made 88% of his appearances at CF (3/?)
#Hoffenheim was coached by rising star manager Julian Nagelsmann in 2018/19, who favors a pressing style and quick buildup play and mostly played with two strikers. Joelinton was usually paired with Adam Szalai who was utilized as a target man to hold up the ball (4/?)
#Joelinton thrived in the support striker role, linking up play with Szalai and making runs off of the ball. Hoffenheim’s pressing style also created chances for him and he was in the 74th percentile for pressures per 90 among forwards. (5/?)
Hoffenheim’s possession adjusted pressures ranked 8th in the Bundesliga at approx 261 pressures per 90 while Newcastle was last in the Prem with approximately 201 pressures per 90. Newcastle often sat back in a deep block and were not proactive with their defensive actions. (6/?)
Pressuring the ball, while riskier, can create high-quality chances off of opposition turnovers. The reality is that Hoffenheim’s structure and play style were tailor-made for Joelinton’s skills and I don’t see manager Steve Bruce drastically shifting tactics to press more.(7/?)
#Newcastle also rarely had the ball, with the lowest possession in the Prem in 19/20 with an avg of 39%. Hoffenheim had the 4th most possession in the Bundes. in 18/19 with an avg of 54%. Joelinton also averaged six more touches in the attacking 3rd per 90 than at NUFC. (8/?)
If Newcastle wants to get the best out of Joelinton they should pair him with Andy Carroll who is similar to Szalai in his target man role. This, in theory, would allow Joelinton to be more of a creative force without the burden of holding the ball up. (9/?)
He clearly doesn’t fit the playing style, everyone needs to stop expecting him to magically become a traditional number 9. He has been compared to Roberto Firmino, which makes sense, except Newcastle, pundits and fans expect Joelinton to play like Harry Kane. (10/?)
Everyone complains about Joelinton’s price tag. His lack of success in the Prem is down to a poor recruitment decision by #NUFC’s hierarchy. At the right club, Joelinton can be worth $40mil. His stats at #Hoffenheim were special and I hope he can get back on track at NUFC (11/11)
