adminNewcastle United have been handed a major setback just days before the start of the new Premier League season, with head coach Matthias Jaissle facing another headache ahead of the opening-day clash against Liverpool.
The Magpies have endured a turbulent pre-season, with recent defeats exposing concerns over the squad’s readiness and depth. Jaissle has already admitted that his team is “undercooked” and tactically unprepared for the demanding campaign ahead.
Now, the German coach has been hit with further bad news on Monday morning as Newcastle prepare for their highly anticipated Premier League opener.
Joelinton has been ruled out of the start of the Premier League season after suffering a training injury.
Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle confirmed that the Brazilian midfielder will miss the crucial opening clash against Liverpool and is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks.
The setback is a significant blow for Newcastle, with Joelinton considered a cornerstone of the team’s midfield identity.
His physical presence, aggression and ability to win battles in midfield have made him an important part of the squad, particularly following the departures of several key players during the summer.
His absence leaves Jaissle with another major problem to solve before the Magpies begin their Premier League campaign.
Vice-captaincy announcement adds to the setback
The injury news comes at an unfortunate time for Joelinton, who has officially been appointed as Newcastle’s new vice-captain under Dan Burn.
That means the newly appointed vice-captain will be unable to lead the team on the pitch when Newcastle face Liverpool, with his injury ruling him out of the highly anticipated fixture.
The setback compounds an already difficult situation for Jaissle, who only took charge on August 5 and has had limited time to implement his high-intensity tactical system.
Newcastle’s recent friendly defeats against Everton and Bayer Leverkusen have also raised questions over the team’s preparation, while Jaissle has openly voiced concerns about the lack of squad depth.
The loss of Joelinton is particularly damaging because Newcastle’s midfield has already been weakened by the summer departures of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali.
The club’s recruitment team is therefore under increasing pressure to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes.
Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha as they look to add experience and defensive strength to Jaissle’s midfield.
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Abdulhafiz Teslim
