‘I feel sorry’: Shearer says Newcastle are forcing one player to do something he’s not capable of

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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has delivered his honest verdict on the club’s record signing Joelinton.

The Magpies forked out £40 million for the Brazilian and handed him the number nine shirt (BBC). The price tag gave rise to expectations and Joelinton, sadly, just hasn’t been able to deliver in front of goal.

Shearer was asked about the transfer strategy that the new Newcastle owners should employ going forward. The legendary Englishman quickly brought up Joelinton’s example and how his transfer fee is something nobody can justify.

However, he defended the Brazilian as well, claiming that he’s being forced to do something that he’s just not capable of doing – score tons of goals.

Shearer: I feel sorry for Joelinton

Speaking with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Shearer said: “I hope they (new owners) would have picked up in terms of the recruitment that they’ve had and some of the money that has been spent. (It’s) nowhere near enough but when they’ve gone out, I mean, you try and work out £40 million for Joelinton – how do you work that out?

“I actually feel sorry for Joelinton at times because he was given the number nine shirt, he was asked to play centre-forward, he was asked to go and score goals. None of that is his fault. That’s not his position.

“You can never criticise his work rate in terms of what does and what he tries. He never hides away, but he’s not a goalscorer, he’s not a number nine and he’s not a centre-forward. Yet, he was asked to do all that. How do you work that out?

“That’s one deal I’ve never really been able to look at and explain and I don’t think many people will be able to.”

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Joelinton has played 91 times for Newcastle in all competitions so far and he has only scored 10 goals. He scored more for Hoffenheim in just 36 appearances, which just shows that things haven’t worked out for him.

Shearer may just be right about his position. He’s not a player who can lead the line and bang in 30 goals a season. Expecting him to do that made no sense and it really does raise questions about Newcastle’s scouting.

It will be interesting to see how Eddie Howe will use him in the coming weeks and months.

Callum Wilson will remain the first-choice centre-forward, but if the new Magpies boss can find a way to get the best out of Joelinton, Newcastle’s fortunes could change.