Joelinton of Bundesliga outfit, Hoffenheim, is another Brazilian forward who has emerged to give Tite another striking option up front for the Selecao
Brazilian football has taught us to never doubt its ability to produce fascinating talent. This is the case with Hoffenheim’s Joelinton who has cemented himself as a revelation in the German Bundesliga, this season.
Although he did not play too many games for Brazilian side, Sport Recife, by the time that a European club snatched him up, Joelinton had already demonstrated during his stint in Brazil why he was a special player in the making.
Hoffenheim were quick to secure his services on the cheap in 2015, before loaning him out to Austria’s Rapid Wien for two years, where he left his mark with 15 goals, making the Bundesliga side decide to call him back and give him a first-team chance this season.
It is fair to say that Joelinton has more than taken advantage of his new coaching staff’s confidence in him, by netting a total of eight goals, managing three assists across various competitions, so far.
The Brazilian is a versatile attacker who can use his burst of pace when necessary, to take on opponents, as well putting his physical strength into good use, when it comes to shielding his ball. Joelinton has a good mixture of technique and physique, with quite an eye for goal, as his stats suggest.
What is even more encouraging is that the striker is just 22-years-old, which means he has yet to hit his peak. If the forward keeps it up until the end of the season, there is absolutely no reason why he would not be worthy of a shot at Brazil’s vacant number-nine role.
Joelinton could be outsider to lead line for Brazil
Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison are all decent shouts, but the door should never be closed to emerging players, especially if we take into consideration Brazil’s ever-growing talent pool, as well as the fact that the likes of Gabriel Jesus and to a certain extent, Firmino, have not been enjoying their best season so far.
A spot at Brazil’s national team has to be earned, and has to be based on merit, more so, than on anything else, including reputation. Joelinton may not be famous enough for Paulista or Carioca fans in Brazil, nor for the average Brazil national team supporter. But this isn’t relevant because in terms of skills, he meets all the requirements.
The German league has almost always been a good place for aspiring Brazilians to develop their talent and reach the next level. As a matter of fact, Joelinton isn’t even the only Brazilian under the spotlight in the Bundesliga, so is RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Matheus Cunha who is on an interesting goal-scoring streak as well. The future is promising for the Seleção.
The Best Brazilians in the Bundesliga
1) Naldo (Schalke)
2) Joelinton (Hoffenheim)
3) Wendel (Leverkusen)
4) Walace (Hannover)
5) Rafinha (Bayern)
[…] The German league is a good environment for young Brazilians who make the jump from the South American continent to Europe, so Walace is certainly benefiting from his spells at Hamburg, then Hannover. […]
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