It has been a strange 2023 for Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson. It started with his form falling off a cliff after the World Cup, which led to talk of him leaving St James’ Park this summer. Now he is the Premier League’s most in-form striker, and is enjoying the best season of his Toon career.
With two games to go, Wilson is now Newcastle‘s top scorer. He has found the net 18 times, and will hope to add to his tally in the remaining games against Leicester City and Chelsea.
The 31-year-old is now back in the starting XI after a spell out of the side, with Wilson forcing his way back into Eddie Howe’s team with a string of sensational cameos.
Wilson was forced to raise his game due to the form of Alexander Isak, while there was even speculation that Newcastle could cash in on him this summer.
Now the number nine has addressed talk of an exit, and shared the one question he was asking himself when his friends and family talked to him about a possible move away.
Callum Wilson could not believe there was talk of him leaving
Wilson has spoke to NUFC TV ahead of the game against Leicester, and was asked whether he likes being written off due to the impact it has had on his form.
“There’s pros and cons, really,” he said.
“There was a period of time in this season, there was a lot of talk of about ‘will Callum be here at the end of the season?’. I don’t read social media, I don’t read papers, I don’t read the news, but this was from family and friends.
“You’re thinking am I really playing that bad that you think I might be leaving at the end of the season?
“That happens, you find yourself on the bench. Your manager still has faith in you but has taken you out of the firing line. Then you’re playing angry with everybody, but for me it brings the best out of me. Whenever you have your best performances, it’s because mentally you’re in a place where you’re a little bit angry inside.”
Wilson has proven he is here to stay at Newcastle
With his goals potentially guiding Newcastle into the Champions League, Wilson has proven that he is here to stay.
The fact that Newcastle have two top quality forwards who are both scoring goals is a massive plus, and it will be even more important next season when the Magpies are competing in Europe.
It will be the first time that Wilson has ever played in a European competition, giving him the chance to test himself at the highest level. It is a level that not every fan thought he was capable of a few months ago.
But the striker has been inspired to bounce back. He has played angry, and it has led to him enjoying his best ever season in a Toon shirt.
Let’s hope he starts next season just as angry as he is ending this one.
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