Joelinton

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

In a turbulent season that sees Newcastle United languishing in 14th place with a volatile L-W-D-W-L record, Joelinton stands as one of English football's most compelling redemption stories. The 29-year-old Brazilian has reinvented himself from a £40 million striking misfit into a tireless box-to-box midfielder now valued at £25 million. With 6 goals and 2 assists across 34 appearances and 2,265 minutes, Joelinton has become the heartbeat of Eddie Howe's midfield engine room. His 70-rated passing precision and relentless work rate—evidenced by his 5 yellow cards from constant battling—see him thriving alongside Jacob Ramsey and Harvey Barnes in a midfield fighting to escape mid-table mediocrity. No longer hunting goals in the penalty area, Joelinton now dictates tempo from deep, his 65 dribbling and 63 physical stats driving Newcastle's transitions. At 29 and contracted until 2028, he's proof that reinvention trumps reputation. While the Magpies struggle for consistency, their transformed Brazilian offers both inspiration and a blueprint for recovery.