DM1ST
mirror.co.uk/sport WEDNESDAY 24.07.2019 DAILY MIRROR^59
NO ORDINARY JOE Toon’s
Joelinton with Steve BruceBY IAN MURTAGH
RECORD buy Joelinton
vowed to repay Newcastle
in goals after the club
splashed out a whopping
£40million to sign the
Hoffenheim striker.
The Geordies have
obliterated their transfer
record, landing the
Brazilian for almost twice
the price they paid for
Miguel Almiron six months
ago. But the 22-year-old
insists he will not be
weighed down by the hefty
price-tag, despite having
scored only 11 goals in 35
games last season.
“I know it’s a large
investment that the club
has made in me and that
comes with a huge
responsibility,” said
Joelinton, who has signed a
six-year contract and will
wear the iconic No.9 shirt.
“I’m highly motivated
and hope to give back on
the pitch.”
Former manager Rafa
Benitez was not convinced
the striker was worth the
price his German club
slapped on him, making it
clear he would have
preferred to land Salomon
Rondon on a permanent
basis after a successful
loan season last term.
But successor Steve
Bruce has no doubt his first
Toon signing can be a big
hit having been convinced
by head of recruitment
Steve Nickson that
Joelinton is worth the cash.
“The kid’s got an exciting
time ahead of him,” said
Bruce. “He’s a smashing
young player and we’re
delighted to get him. He’s
got everything. He’s big,
strong and athletic, and of
course he’s got age on his
side too.
“He’s learned the history
and wanted the No.9 shirt,
and that’s always a big shirt
to fill. But in his eyes it was
‘bring it on – it’s what I’m
here for.’
Joelinton is due to make
his debut in Saturday’s
friendly at Preston.Joelinton
tells Toon
his lingo
is goals
Come in
Number 9
..your
time
has
arrived
ABRAHAM GETS SHIRT HE
WANTED... AND PLEDGES TO
KEEP IT AFTER BARCA STRIKE
BARCELONA 1 CHELSEA 2
these guys shows they can be
the lead striker. I have got full
confidence in them.”
For his goal, Jorginho closed
down Oriol Busquets, and the
ball fell to Abraham, who
sidestepped Marc-Andre ter
Stegen and stabbed home.
Chelsea came under
pressure at times but defended
well. Their second goal arrived
late on, when Marcos Alonso
fed Barkley, who took a touch
and fired his shot into the
corner.
Lampard believes N’Golo
Kante will be fit for the start of
the new season, despite
sending him home from the
tour to continue his rehabilita-
tion from a knee injury.
The Blues boss added: “I
think he will be training with
us by the weekend.”Football brings a lot of
pressure. It drives me on. It
gives me the extra belief.
“I’ve heard all the rubbish
about the No.9. I’m here to
play my game and do my best.
“It was my first goal for the
club. Now that is out of the
way, it will be nice to push on
and score more.”
Lampard said: “Tammy is a
goalscorer. He’s hungry for
goals. That is what I like about
his attitude – he always wants
to score.
“I saw it in the Champion-
ship last season, he’s proven
that, and now it is his time
to prove it for Chelsea.
Goalscorers need confidence
so, to get his goal, will put him
in good stead. There is
competition.
“It is vital for Chelsea one ofAbraham scored 52 goals in
two Championship seasons,
on loan at Bristol City and
Aston Villa, but big names
have always blocked his way at
Stamford Bridge.
That path could now be
open – if he can fight off the
challenge of Olivier Giroud and
Michy Batshuayi next season.
But scoring after pulling on
the shirt once worn by Chelsea
legends Peter Osgood, Kerry
Dixon, Gianluca Vialli and
Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink
made sure the youngster put
down a marker.
Abraham said: “I’m
honoured to wear the No.9
shirt at Chelsea. I spoke to the
manager and he asked me if
I’m ready to take the shirt and
I said, ‘Yeah, I’m ready’. I’m
glad he offered me the No.9.FROM TONY BANKS
in Saitama
TAMMY ABRAHAM
revealed Frank
Lampard asked him
whether he felt
ready to wear the
Chelsea No.9
shirt.
The youngster
said yes, responded
with his first goal for the
club – and now means to
keep hold of the jersey.
The 21-year-old grabbed
the chance new manager
Lampard (left) gave him
against Barcelona, scoring
his side’s first goal.
Ross Barkley added a
second in an impressive
performance from the Blues,
before Ivan Rakitic notched
a consolation for Barca.the heavily incentivised contract
could see him bank approaching
£50m by the time it expires,
when he will still only be 23.
Hudson-Odoi was convinced
he would have to follow the
example of Jadon Sancho and
head to the Bundesliga to
pursue his career, feeling
starved of opportunities at
Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri.
But the midfielder has been
encouraged by positive words
from Lampard, who made no
secret of the fact he wanted
Hudson-Odoi to stay.
For now, career progression is
on hold with the star remaining
in England – while the rest of
the squad flew out to Japan on
pre-season tour – to continue
his rehabilitation from an
Achilles injury suffered in April.
Early prognosis has been
encouraging and Chelsea
believe he could be on track for
a quick return to action,
possibly as soon as September.
After taking over as Blues
boss, Lampard was quick to sing
Hudson-Odoi’s praises,
describing him as a “huge
player” at the club.
Midfielders Mason Mount and
Ruben Loftus-Cheek have also
signed new deals since Lampard
took over from Sarri.
But Chelsea chiefs believe it
is this U-turn by Hudson-Odoi
which vindicates their decision
to take a punt on a
relatively inexperienced
manager in
Lampard,
who was
at Derby
last
term.KID CALLUM
£50M DEAL
FROM BACK PAGEBRIDGE BUILDER Mason Mount
has signed a new Chelsea dealCHELSEA
ON TOURFROM
in Sa
TA
re
L
wsa
with h
club –
keep ho
The 2
the cha
Lampa
against
his side
Ross
second
pperform
before I
a consBut Chelsea chiefs believe it
is this U-turn by Hudson-Odoi
which vindicates their decision
to take a punt on a
relatively inexperienced
manager in
Lampard,
who was
at Derby
last
term.TAMMY
DODGER
Abraham beats
Marc-Andre ter
Stegen to score
the Chelsea
opener