Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji says new Newcastle United signing Joelinton was the toughest opponent he faced last season, praising the Brazilian’s pace, power and technical ability.
The £40m man completed a club record move from Hoffenheim last month and bagged his first goal for the club in a pre-season win over Hibernian on Tuesday, with him not only scoring but putting in a highly impressive all round performance.
A few days on and former Bundesliga rival and current Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji has heaped more praise on the 22-year-old talent.
Here’s what he’s had to say to GOAL when asked who was the toughest striker he faced across the 2018/19 season:
“Last season, Joelinton from Hoffenheim was very good,”
“He moved to Newcastle this summer. He was technically good, fast, physically strong. He played really well against us and also scored a goal.”
Considering the Swiss international has come up against Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Timo Werner, Antoine Griezmann and Radamel Falcao last season, it’s a huge compliment to Joelinton that he was the deemed the toughest opponent he faced!
After an eye-catching display against Hibernian, let’s hope we see more of the same from the striker as we prepare to take on St Etienne at St James’ Park today.
