Callum Wilson discussion continues | OneFootball

The talk surrounding Callum Wilson continues.

Yes he scores goals when he’s on the pitch BUT how often is the number nine on the pitch?

This debate is endless.

Callum Wilson came off the bench against Sheffield United and scored.

Callum Wilson started against Burnley and scored.

It is what he does.

Callum Wilson becoming the second highest when it comes to scoring Premier League goals for Newcastle United, 47 now and… counting.

No wonder Eddie Howe reacted as he did after Saturday’s thrashing of Burnley, when asked if he wanted Callum Wilson to still be at St James’ Park next season….

“Of course I want Callum Wilson at the club next season.

“I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”

After all, surely only a fool (if you are a Newcastle United fan) wouldn’t want Callum Wilson to stay on Tyneside.

Here are the stats on strikers when it comes to scoring goals in the Premier League, their totals over the course of the last two seasons (2022/23 and 2023/24):

61 Erling Haaland

37 Mo Salah

34 Ollie Watkins

30 Alexander Isak

30 Bukayo Saka

27 Callum Wilson

27 Son Heung-min

24 Dominic Solanke

24 Ivan Toney

24 Marcus Rashford

21 Cole Palmer

As I said, surely only a very foolish Newcastle United fan would want Callum Wilson to leave.

Far too much emphasis is put on what Callum Wilson doesn’t do, rather than what he does do.

Obviously we all wonder just how many goals the NUFC number nine might have scored if playing every match, however, that is not what is important.

The only really important fact is that Callum Wilson HAS scored 27 Premier League goals for Newcastle United these past two seasons, more than all but a small handful of other players currently playing in the Premier League.

The idea of ‘cashing in’ on Callum Wilson makes no sense on many levels.

Firstly, selling a striker who scores so many goals would be crazy.

Secondly, who would you replace him with?

Thirdly, exactly how much do you think another club would pay for a 32 year old?

Fourthly, how much would a credible replacement cost?

Fifthly, convincing a credible replacement to come in, on the understanding he is clear second choice behind Alexander Isak.

In Newcastle United’s last 75 Premier League matches, from May 2022 onwards, Callum Wilson has played in (not just named in the matchday squad for), 52 of NUFC’s last 75 Premier League matches, 69% of them.

Are those really the stats of a player who is ‘mostly’ injured?

I think as well, the fact that Alexander Isak is first choice striker now and so Callum Wilson is invariably named on the bench, has helped lead to this perception, wrong in my opinion, that he (Wilson) isn’t available very often. His lack of minutes is more due to the presence of Isak than injuries!

More importantly of course is what Callum Wilson actually does when he is on the pitch.

Those last 75 Premier League matches, in the 52 games where Wilson has got on the pitch, he has scored a goal on average every 101 Premier League minutes. A superb record, 29 goals in those last 52 PL appearances.

I actually think that Newcastle United are really well served for strikers and they do have strength in depth, certainly in comparison to most other Premier League clubs.

As well as Isak and Wilson, Anthony Gordon has looked good playing through the middle when asked to do so this season. Whilst Joelinton can obviously do a job there as well, even though we all agree that midfield is better for him ideally. The problem this season has been the sheer number of missing players, so when the odd time Gordon or Joelinton have played up front in games, the players who would then fill in, in their usual positions, have been thin on the ground as well.

I can’t believe those Newcastle United fans who would be happy to see Eddie Howe get rid of Callum Wilson and believe that automatically the replacement would score anything like as many goals as Wilson.

Reality for me is that Newcastle are very lucky to have Callum Wilson as second choice striker and as detailed above, he is NOT usually injured. Certainly not these past two years when we have had Alexander Isak at the club as well.

The fact is as well, Callum Wilson seems happy with the situation, that it works for him and the club, at this stage of his career AND managing his fitness situation. At times he would no doubt prefer more time on the pitch BUT on balance I think he is ok with it.

Newcastle United will not get a better option to play second striker than Callum Wilson.

Selling him would just make zero sense.

I think that if he did leave, then the Newcastle United fans wanting to sell him, would most definitely then be realising a case of only appreciating something once you no longer have it.