“Is a Beast” – £60m Liverpool star player claims Newcastle player is the toughest he’s faced
When Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s £60 million midfield maestro, was asked to name his toughest Premier League opponent, his immediate response spoke volumes. “Joelinton… beast,” the Hungarian international declared, shaking his head in a mix of admiration and disbelief.
This glowing endorsement from one of the league’s elite talents perfectly encapsulates the remarkable transformation of Newcastle United’s Brazilian enforcer from misfit signing to midfield colossus.
Szoboszlai’s revelation highlights what Newcastle supporters have known for years – while Alexander Isak’s silky skills and Bruno Guimarães’ creative brilliance might grab headlines, Joelinton represents the uncompromising soul of Eddie Howe’s revolution at St James’ Park.
The 6’2″ powerhouse has redefined what it means to be a complete Premier League midfielder, combining raw physicality with technical quality in a way that leaves opponents battered and bewildered.
Joelinton’s absence through injury has created a void that Newcastle are struggling to fill during the season’s crucial final weeks. Joe Willock, while talented in his own right, cannot replicate the unique blend of attributes that make the Brazilian such a formidable presence.
Where Joelinton dominates midfield battles through sheer force of will, Willock offers more subtle qualities – his driving runs and late arrivals into the box provide a different dimension, but the team clearly misses its midfield anchor.
The statistics only tell part of Joelinton’s story, but they reveal a player who impacts every phase of play:
- 3.1 tackles per game (top 5% of Premier League midfielders)
- 2.3 aerial duels won per match
- 85% pass completion rate
- 6.3 ball recoveries per 90 minutes
These numbers only hint at the psychological advantage Joelinton gives Newcastle before kickoff. Opponents know they’re in for 90 minutes of relentless harassment, where every loose ball becomes a personal challenge and every physical duel feels like a statement.
His ability to simultaneously protect Newcastle’s back four while driving the team forward makes him the ultimate modern midfield destroyer.
As Newcastle prepare for Sunday’s crucial clash against Chelsea, Joelinton’s absence looms large. The Blues’ midfield pairing of Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia will present exactly the kind of physical challenge where the Brazilian normally thrives. In his stead, Willock must channel his inner Joelinton – matching the visitors for intensity if not outright physical dominance.
Szoboszlai’s comments reveal something deeper about Joelinton’s impact. For all the technical brilliance of players like Kevin De Bruyne or Martin Ødegaard, there’s something uniquely intimidating about facing a midfielder who combines technical quality with uncompromising physicality.
The Liverpool star’s reaction – that mixture of respect and wariness – is precisely the response Joelinton has cultivated through years of reinventing himself at Newcastle.
From much-maligned record signing to the Premier League’s most feared midfield presence, Joelinton’s journey mirrors Newcastle’s own transformation under Howe. Where once he symbolized the club’s misguided recruitment, he now represents its fighting spirit and capacity for reinvention.
As the Magpies chase European qualification in these final weeks, they do so knowing their Brazilian beast has already left an indelible mark on opponents across the league – even those wearing the shirts of England’s elite clubs.
When the dust settles on this season, Newcastle’s hierarchy would do well to remember Szoboszlai’s words. Players like Joelinton – those rare talents who change games through force of personality as much as technical ability – don’t come along often.
As the transfer window approaches, finding adequate cover for their midfield talisman may prove just as important as any glamour signing. Because while stars win matches, beasts win respect – and in the Premier League’s unforgiving trenches, that counts for everything.