Could Joelinton be Hoffenheim's surprise package this season?
Joelinton has made a good impression at Hoffenheim after returning from at two-year loan spell at Rapid Wien.
The arguably biggest winner of Hoffenheim's pre-season has been 22-year-old Joelinton who has made his mark after returning from the club following a two-year loan spell at Rapid Wien.
After a strong pre-season, Joelinton scored a hattrick in Hoffenheim's 6-1 win over Kaiserslautern in the first round of the DFB-Pokal yesterday.
Following the win, the Brazilian was praised by Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann who says the 22-year-old has developed a lot in Austria.
"He is very inquisitive and a quick learner," Nagelsmann told Kicker and added:
"The Austrian league has done him well as it has given him the opportunity to get used to Europe at a level that is perhaps not as high as the Bundesliga."
Now, Joelinton is likely to start Friday's Bundesliga opener against Bayern München.
"I hope that he fits into the plan on Friday," Nagelsmann said.
Joelinton made 79 appearances and scored 21 goals for Rapid Wien during his time in Austria.