Newcastle United striker Chris Wood won more aerial duels than any other player during gameweek 23 in the Premier League.
The towering New Zealand international may not have opened his Magpies account, but the qualities he brings to Eddie Howe’s side are clear to see. The former Bournemouth manager praised Wood for his “tireless” performance against Leeds United.
The former Burnley man is arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League with his back to goal and possessing the attributes to bring his teammates into the game.
With Callum Wilson to return and Allan Saint-Maximin tormenting defences off the touchline, Howe has a vocal point in Wood whose sheer presence is enough to unnerve and radiate panic across the opposition’s backline.
Having that target man that Newcastle’s backline can hit when we are under the cosh is gold dust, it will alleviate pressure and give us an additional weapon when looking to hit sides on the counter attack.
In the 1-0 win against one of Wood’s former clubs Leeds United, the 30-year-old won a staggering 15 aerial duels at Elland Road.
He bettered his tally of 14 which he also achieved against Marcelo Bielsa’s side 20 days earlier, on the same ground.
No other player achieved double figures over the weekend. Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock was Wood’s closest challenger and he won nine aerial duels.
Newcastle’s new number 20 is currently leading the Premier League charts for the average number of aerial duels won per game (5.5), according to WhoScored.
Wood’s closest challenger for that gong is his former Burnley teammate James Tarkowski (4.9).
The striker will be eager to open his Newcastle account, but he has already shown the qualities that he brings to our side which enables us to play in a more direct style.
With Kieran Trippier’s set-piece qualities and delivery from the wide right area, it seems only a matter of time before Chris Wood is finding the back of the net via a bullet header.
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