The head coach of Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, was compelled to substitute a significant player during the match against Brentford, attributing the situation to a current trend.
The Magpies journeyed to the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon, aiming to compensate for their unexpected 3-1 loss to West Ham United, a team facing difficulties, in their previous Premier League game.
Contemporary style implicated in Joelinton’s substitution due to injury
He initially persisted, but Jacob Ramsey soon substituted him when it became evident that the Brazilian could not proceed.
Lo que le ha pasado a Joelinton es el mejor mensaje para todos los jugadores jóvenes que deciden llevar la espinillera más pequeña reglamentariamente posible.Una patada mal dada te puede hacer un roto, sobre todo si esto es lo que te “protege”. pic.twitter.com/sUF9iIKkDRNovember 9, 2025
Commentators Bill Leslie and Alan Smith from Sky Sports were unequivocal about the primary cause: prevailing style.
As Joelinton initially fell, he discarded his tiny shin guard to the side, with its reduced size exemplifying the current trend, revealing a notable mark on his right leg resulting from Ouattara’s cleats.
Leslie and Smith remarked on “the fashion these days” as Sky cameras focused on the small protective gear, implying that Joelinton’s injury might not have been as severe if he had worn the larger shin pads that were once more prevalent.
The online sentiment echoed this, with an X user commenting: “Perhaps if Joelinton had worn actual shin pads instead of a piece of foam, he’d be okay.”
The rules of soccer specify that shin pads must be of an “appropriate size to provide reasonable protection” but do not offer precise measurements, leading some players to stretch this rule to avoid wearing the more substantial, though likely safer, larger versions.
According to FourFourTwo, the more conventional shin pads would likely have sufficed to prevent Joelinton from experiencing this setback.
At first glance, the bruising does not appear to be a problem that will keep the Brazilian sidelined for an extended period, but any absence will seem significant in light of the marginal gains associated with smaller shin pads.
However, this enforced substitution did not impede the Magpies for long, as Harvey Barnes successfully scored the opening goal at the Gtech just three minutes after Joelinton’s removal.
According to Transfermarkt, Joelinton’s estimated value is €35m.
