The Blades could be tasked with keeping out Newcastle striker, Joelinton, tonight at Bramall Lane.
Joelinton has only scored one goal for Newcastle this season. (Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The big-money summer signing has struggled to make an impact for Newcastle this season. He has scored just the once, despite playing 14 times.
Joelinton was signed by Steve Bruce in the summer. It was hoped at the time that he would solve the long-standing issue the Magpies had in front of goal.
However, with Sheffield United the opponents tonight, Joelinton could well face another tough night in front of goal. The Blades have kept five clean-sheets this season, with only Leicester City surpassing that.
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And, according to a report compiled by the Shields Gazette, Joelinton will go into the Premier League record books if he draws another blank.
That record, though, will be an unwanted one for the Brazilian. No goal tonight will rank him top of the list of strikers bought for £25m and above in the Premier League in terms of lack of goals scored.
It would be one in fifteen for Joelinton if he doesn’t hit the target at Bramall Lane this evening. That would put him alongside Kelechi Iheanacho, who finally bagged in his fifteenth appearance for the Foxes.
Who else has made terrible starts in the Premier League?
According to the report, there are some big names who have struggled to make an impact.
Those names include former AC Milan striker, Andriy Shevchenko, who struggled after moving to Chelsea. Other big names on the list include Christian Benteke, Andy Carroll, and Fernando Torres.
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres struggled after making a £50m move from Liverpool. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Indeed, Torres was signed for £50m by Chelsea, making the most expensive flop on the list.
If Joelinton is to avoid topping the pile of failed goalscorers then he needs to try and ensure tonight is the night he rediscovers his goalscoring touch. He has played well of late, acting as a battering ram type striker to create space for the likes of Almiron and Saint-Maximin.
But, at £40m, Joelinton will be expected to score goals for Newcastle, although it could give the Blades that added incentive to keep him at bay.
