‘It takes time to adjust’: Steve Bruce compares Joelinton to Nicolas Pepe after slow start

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Steve Bruce has appealed for fans to be more patient with Joelinton, The Chronicle reports.

The Newcastle United manager compared Joelinton to Arsenal’s club-record man Nicolas Pepe. Both players have struggled to hit the ground running since moving to England and Bruce believes Joelinton just needs some confidence.

So far, Joelinton has scored once since his £40m (figure via The Chronicle) switch from Hoffenheim. That came in the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur but he has been unable to build on that.

Pepe has also had a slow start to life in the Premier League. The Ivory Coast winger has come under fire for some lacklustre displays and just one goal in the league since his move. But he netted twice in the Europa League last week and Bruce believes he is confident again.

Bruce on Joelinton

Bruce said (via The Chronicle): “We have seen Nicolas Pépé for Arsenal recently get off the mark. It takes time. He’s a £72million player, but no matter what your price tag is, it takes time to adjust.

“Especially when you are young like Joe. Like all strikers they need a goal, you seen against Spurs when he scored, he was a different proposition after it. Let’s hope that goal comes soon.”

TBR’s view

Joelinton has not quite lived up to his price tag since his move to Tyneside. But that’s more the fault of the Newcastle hierarchy than the player. He is a young player moving to a new country and playing in a new league – of course, it will take time.

The Brazilian is also not helped by the lack of competition. There are no other strikers who can share the burden with him. Now that Dwight Gayle is back, perhaps that’ll be different.