---
title: "Newcastle fans ask questions as Bruce reveals Joelinton isn’t a natural goalscorer"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/02/21/newcastle-fans-ask-questions-as-bruce-reveals-joelinton-isnt-a-natural-goalscorer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-02-21T21:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-02-21T21:00:00Z"
---

# Newcastle fans ask questions as Bruce reveals Joelinton isn’t a natural goalscorer

[Steve Bruce has admitted](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8028699/Steve-Bruce-admits-40m-Joelinton-not-like-strikers-interested-scoring.html) that Joelinton “might not be a natural goalscorer”, and understandably, this has got many Newcastle fans talking.

The 22-year old was signed in a [club record £40million deal](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/23/newcastle-united-sign-joelinton-club-record-hoffenheim-brazil) from Hoffenheim in the summer, and was handed the No. 9 shirt as Newcastle’s first choice striker.

Speaking at the time of the Brazilian’s signing, Bruce described Joelinton as “big, strong and athletic”, claiming that “[he’s got all the attributes a top striker needs](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/question-needs-answering-about-joelinton-deal-1758206).”

Several months later, with Joelinton having [only scored once in 26 Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joelinton/leistungsdaten/spieler/333241) this season, Bruce has now admitted that scoring goals might not be Joelinton’s forte, [saying](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8028699/Steve-Bruce-admits-40m-Joelinton-not-like-strikers-interested-scoring.html):

> The great strikers, the goalscorers, all they’re interested in is scoring a goal – Joe is not like that. He is more a team player. He has to be a bit more selfish. He has to think about himself more and score a goal. He doesn’t get himself in the positions enough, that’s something we’re working on.
>
> But you can put on as many finishing drills as you want, unfortunately Joe will be measured by one thing – goals.
>
> His team, his work-rate, he never shies away. With that attitude I’m sure he will come good. You have to understand he’s only 23, a baby. At times he’s found it difficult, but I’m convinced he’ll come good.
>
> The only thing we can do is keep encouraging the lad. He might not be a natural goalscorer, but we know there is talent there.

With the club having spent such a large fee on a player to have then played them exclusively out of position, a number of Newcastle fans expressed their thoughts on Bruce’s latest comments.

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Wow. So we wasted £40m on a bloke who doesn’t score goals after the two top scorers from last season… https://t.co/P7oiiCVuC8 (@MartinJohnson10)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Doesn’t beg the question why sign him, begs the question why sign him for a role he doesn’t fit, bril… https://t.co/mFCF4szUBe (@wakeling\_harry)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM The great strikers, the goalscorers, all they’re interested in is scoring a goal, Joe is not like tha… https://t.co/Fpkg5aQ7pw (@MarkDNUFC84)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Craig sorry but that’s crazy… if I was mike Ashley I’d be asking who scouted him and who signed off on a non scoring #9 (@Cosseycj)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Bruce has absolutely zero say in transfers so he has got to come out with these PR statements, nothin… https://t.co/HL2e49tVSa (@agbnufc)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Questions need to be asked who sanctioned this deal (@BLOOD202)

> Twitter: @CraigHope\_DM Incompetence mainly. (@Ricky\_NUFC9)