Newcastle United’s season continues to swing between promise and frustration, and Eddie Howe faces more pressure than ever to find the balance that can push his team forward again.
The win over Manchester City was a reminder of what Newcastle are capable of on their best days, especially with Harvey Barnes delivering a brilliant second-half brace to defeat the champions at St. James’ Park. But one strong performance cannot hide the wider problems.
That victory was surrounded by three Premier League defeats in four games, followed by a disappointing loss to Marseille in the Champions League. Although Newcastle did not play terribly in France, the anxiety that spread through the team after Nick Pope’s mistake exposed an issue that has become all too familiar this season.
Nick Pope has been a solid signing since arriving from Burnley, but at 33, his game is now showing cracks that Newcastle cannot keep ignoring. His error against Marseille was another costly moment in a season filled with them.
When Barnes gave Newcastle the lead at half-time, all the team needed was composure. Instead, Pope rushed out recklessly to cut out a through ball but was beaten for pace by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who rounded him with ease before finishing from a difficult angle.
Moments later, Aubameyang added another from close range, and suddenly the match slipped away. It was the kind of mistake Newcastle simply cannot afford at this level, especially away from home where their mentality often wavers.
With Aaron Ramsdale on loan and waiting patiently, many supporters believe it is time for a change. Howe has tried to show loyalty to Pope, but loyalty cannot outweigh results, and the team’s confidence clearly drops every time a mistake like this occurs. Yet Pope is not the only concern.
In fact, he may not even be the biggest problem Newcastle are dealing with right now. The player who has become an even greater liability this season is someone who was once the heartbeat of Howe’s system: Joelinton.
For years, Joelinton has been one of the club’s most important players, transforming from a struggling forward into one of the Premier League’s most dominant midfielders.
His strength, intensity and stamina made him essential to Newcastle’s rise under Howe. But this season, something has changed. Joelinton looks slower, less confident and far less influential. The powerful, relentless midfielder who dominated games last year has rarely appeared, replaced by a player who looks exhausted and out of rhythm.
This decline stands out even more because of the quality around him. Sandro Tonali is showing new levels of athleticism and control, while Bruno Guimarães continues to be the glue that holds everything together. Compared to them, Joelinton looks like a shadow of his former self.
Journalists and supporters have noticed the drop-off as well. Earlier this season, Mark Douglas pointed out that the Brazilian is “nowhere near his best,” and the numbers back that up.
According to Sofascore, Joelinton is winning just 2.9 ground duels per Premier League game, the lowest average of his Newcastle career. The last time he posted numbers this poor was during his debut season, when he was misused as a centre-forward and struggled badly.
His trademark aggression and physical dominance have faded, and after so many years of heavy minutes and hard battles, it may simply be catching up with him.
Joelinton has given everything to the club, and his transformation into a midfield warrior earned him the status of a “club legend,” as described by content creator Adam Pearson.
But even legends reach a point where their influence begins to decline, and Newcastle must be ruthless if they want to keep evolving. The front office, backed by PIF, has already started looking to the future, preparing for a major move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in 2026.
With Anderson once part of Newcastle’s academy, the symbolism of that pursuit says a lot about how the club views its long-term midfield structure and who may no longer fit into it.
The calls to drop Pope are getting louder, but the urgency to replace Joelinton should be just as strong. Newcastle cannot carry weak links anymore, not when the Premier League is tighter and more competitive than ever.
The team needs energy, precision and reliability in every position, and right now, Joelinton is struggling to provide any of those qualities. His physicality remains, but the impact is fading fast.
Below is a simple table showing Howe’s most-used players, which highlights just how heavily Joelinton has been relied upon throughout his time at the club:
| Rank | Player | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Guimarães | 172 |
| 2 | Dan Burn | 166 |
| 3 | Fabian Schär | 165 |
| 4 | Jacob Murphy | 152 |
| 5 | Joelinton | 146 |
The numbers show a player who has been central to Howe’s project, but longevity does not guarantee future relevance. Newcastle are trying to push forward, build a stronger squad and become a consistent Premier League force.
To do that, tough decisions must be made. Pope’s time as an automatic starter may be ending, but Joelinton’s decline poses an even bigger question: how long can Howe rely on a player who is no longer the force he once was?
