Newcastle United have stripped Joelinton of the coveted number 9 jersey in favour of Callum Wilson following his £20million transfer from AFC Bournemouth, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Wilson was unveiled as a Magpies player on Monday afternoon after we agreed on a £20m deal with Bournemouth following their relegation to the Championship, edging out rival interest from Aston Villa in the England striker.
The Birmingham-based outfit opted to withdraw their interest over the weekend, having already seen a £21m offer accepted by the Cherries, when it became clear that Wilson favoured moving to the North East for the next stage of his career.
Joining the Toon will see Wilson bank a rumoured £100,000-per-week, making him our highest earner on a deal eclipsing that offered to Joelinton when the Brazilian completed his club-record £40m move from TSG Hoffenheim last summer.
Wilson has also seemingly been handed the coveted number nine jersey worn by Joelinton for the 2019/20 season, and worn previously by Toon icons like Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, Andy Cole, Chris Waddle and Kevin Keegan.
Joelinton had admitted to knowing the great responsibility wearing the number nine jersey would bring following his arrival at St. James’ Park a year ago, noting – via quotes by BBC Sport: “I’m really happy to be here.
“I know it is a huge responsibility, the great Alan Shearer, the team’s biggest idol [wore it]. I know it is a big responsibility, but I am prepared.”
Do you believe Joelinton will have a better season?
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Ultimately, Joelinton failed to live up to the standards the shirt number carries and seems to have been stripped of the honour after scoring just twice in the Premier League.
But being stripped of the number nine jersey and seeing it awarded to new-boy Wilson could be a blessing for Joelinton, as the England international wearing what was once his number should actually benefit the Brazilian by removing that weight from his shoulders.
Joelinton can now set about improving his record without the daunting prospect of relentless doubt lingering over him, while head coach Steve Bruce can consider alternative ways to utilise the 24-year-old who started 32 of his 38 top-flight outings last term.
A repeat season, after all, would naturally have led to an array of shouts from frustrated fans claiming Joelinton is not ‘fit to wear the shirt’ and that would only have damaged the confidence of a striker who failed to score for 28 league games.