Alexander Isak’s injury has put the onus on Eddie Howe to carefully handle Callum Wilson in Newcastle United’s busy schedule, even after Wilson scored twice against Wolves.
While Alexander Isak had appeared to be Newcastle United’s primary striker in Eddie Howe’s lineup, recent developments for both club and country suggest that Callum Wilson’s goal-scoring ability remains consistent, whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Despite the “super sub” label that was used to describe him in the past, Wilson proved otherwise in the final stages of the last season, displaying remarkable form. He consistently finished as Newcastle’s top scorer in each of his three seasons at St James’ Park, which is why his one-year contract extension last month wasn’t surprising, despite his lack of Premier League starts at that point. Since then, he has made four appearances in the starting lineup, and his recent brace against Wolves has propelled him to fourth place in the Premier League’s scoring charts, trailing only Erling Haaland, Son Heung-min, and Mo Salah.
What sets Wilson apart from his top-flight counterparts is his exceptional goals-to-minutes ratio. Due to his limited starts, Wilson is currently scoring a goal every 60 minutes in the Premier League, making him the most efficient among the top scorers. For comparison, Salah had scored once every 111 minutes before Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest, while Son’s rate is slightly better at 110 minutes. Even Haaland, the Golden Boot winner, has a slower scoring rate compared to Wilson.
Although Wilson has had to accept a supporting role this season, he has consistently delivered when it matters most. With Isak’s injury, Wilson now becomes the only specialist striker at Howe’s disposal. While Anthony Gordon could potentially play in a central role, injuries in other positions have left Howe with limited options in the squad. This situation is concerning for Newcastle, given their packed schedule and Wilson’s injury history.
The question has arisen whether Howe should risk starting Wilson in the midweek clash against Manchester United, given their desire to avenge last season’s Carabao Cup final defeat. However, they cannot afford to lose Wilson with important matches against Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Bournemouth on the horizon.
Newcastle’s squad depth will soon face a significant test, particularly in the attacking department. Wilson may want to start every game, but Howe will need to manage the number nine carefully, as circumstances have potentially made him the most crucial player in the squad right now.
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