Eddie Howe knows that Newcastle United need fresh energy when they face Burnley, and even though several positions will be up for debate, one change looks more obvious than all the others.
The midfield needs adjusting, and the player who should step aside is Joelinton. It is not a decision based on emotion or past achievements, but on what the team currently needs and what the upcoming match demands from Howe’s lineup.
Newcastle’s last game, the draw against Tottenham, showed both strengths and weaknesses. Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley and Joelinton formed the midfield trio, but Tonali had to come off at half-time with an injury.
His status for the Burnley match is still uncertain, which complicates things for Howe. But whether Tonali is fit or not, the performance in the Spurs game made one thing very clear: Joelinton had an afternoon he will want to forget.
Just days earlier, he was excellent in the win over Manchester City, showing aggression, power and the kind of presence that once made him one of the most important players in this team.
Yet against Spurs, everything that normally sets him apart was missing. He was slow on the ball, careless in possession and lacked the sharpness needed to help Newcastle control the game. Instead of giving the team a platform, his performance made it easier for Tottenham to grow into the match.
Newcastle allowed Spurs to find confidence, and that played a huge part in the eventual result. That alone gives Howe a strong reason to take Joelinton out of the lineup.
But there is another reason too, something more tactical than emotional. The Burnley match is not made for Joelinton’s strengths. Burnley will likely sit deep, defend in numbers and allow Newcastle to have the ball for long periods.
In these situations, Newcastle need midfielders who can move the ball quickly, create space, and keep attacks flowing. Joelinton is at his best when the game is fast and physical, when he is winning duels, breaking opposition moves, and using his power to disrupt opponents.
What he struggles with is keeping tidy possession in tight spaces and helping break down a low block. Against a team like Burnley, this matters more than usual.
If Newcastle are going to dominate the ball, they need midfielders who can help unlock a stubborn defence. Joelinton is great at many things, but this is not his strength. That is why the Burnley game feels like the wrong moment to start him.
The question then becomes: who replaces him? Howe has several choices in midfield, and much depends on Tonali’s fitness. If Tonali is rested or unavailable, then Bruno Guimarães will almost certainly come into the side, most likely replacing the Italian. That leaves one spot open, and two players seem like the natural candidates: Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.
Willock brings energy, intelligent movement and the ability to drive forward with the ball. He may not have played regularly lately, but when he’s fit and confident, he adds a completely different dimension to the midfield.
Ramsey is also an interesting option. When he joined Newcastle, many expected him to grow into a regular starter, but his progress has been slower than expected. Even so, he has the technical quality and creativity to help Newcastle break down a defensive opponent. A game like Burnley could be the perfect moment for him to step in and contribute.
Fans have also been calling for more attacking threat. Many supporters would tell Howe right now to start Anthony Gordon after his bright cameo against Spurs. Others want more pace and unpredictability across the front line.
The idea of starting Gordon, Wissa and Woltemade together sounds bold, but it reflects the fans’ desire for more spark going forward. No matter what Howe chooses to do in attack, the key decision remains in midfield, where Joelinton seems the most logical player to step aside for this particular match.
Newcastle need to get back to winning ways. They need confidence, control and rhythm, and that means choosing players who fit the style of game that Burnley will force on them.
Joelinton has been a loyal servant and an important figure, but this weekend, the team needs something different. A small break may even help him reset and return sharper in the matches ahead.
Whatever lineup Howe selects, the mission is the same: take all three points and build momentum again. The opportunity is there, and with the right changes, Newcastle have every chance to seize it.
