It’s hard to think of a better pass played from a Newcastle United play than Joe Willock’s on Sunday.
The 23-year-old dug out a stunning ball with the outside of his foot from within his own half to split Tottenham’s defence and find Alexander Isak for Newcastle’s third goal in an eventual 6-1 win.
While Willock has long been an important player under Eddie Howe, an assist of that nature pointed to an aspect of his game perhaps not as discussed as it should be.
With that range of passing, it’s another string to the former Arsenal star’s impressive bow.
Willock’s assist for Isak praised by Jamie Redknapp
Indeed, the assist had Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp absolutely purring.
When discussing the ball played by Willock, Redknapp was comparing the Newcastle star to some of the biggest names in world football.
“That pass – pass of the season so far,” he told Sky Sports Premier League at half-time on Sunday. “[Kevin] De Bruyne, [Martin] Odegaard – no one has done a better pass than that.
“Magnificent from Joe Willock. He’s a player bang in form.”
Willock just gets better and better
We’ve seen Willock’s ability to score goals, albeit on a less frequent basis than on that ridiculous run in 2021 while still a loan player.
If he can get back to something at least approaching that level, all while displaying a passing range like that, Willock could be one of the most eye-catching midfielders in the Premier League.
Granted, that’s easier said than done of course but to have produced a moment of such quality speaks of a player boasting yet another level of talent we’ve perhaps not always seen.
With so much time to grow, the £25m Newcastle spent to sign Willock on a permanent basis in 2021 looks a bargain.
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