Southampton defender Romain Perraud has claimed Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson is completely different to other English strikers.
Speaking with L’Equipe ahead of England’s quarter-final clash against France, the left-back asserted that the 30-year-old is very deceiving in the way he plays.
“He has a completely different profile from the other English strikers,” he said.
“He’s a real threat to defences because he’s very strong in duels, with the ability to keep the ball with his back to the game.
“In a way, he is the classic English striker, with a strong physical dimension in his game. He has a “target man” side as we say in England.
“But beware, if Wilson can give the impression of being a clumsy player, in reality he is quick, precise, intelligent in his movements and can take the ball deep.”
Perraud raves about Wilson
Perraud is correct in his assessment of Wilson: he is a huge threat to Premier League defences.
The striker is very quick on the break, and his high footballing IQ allows him to make perfectly timed runs in-behind the opposition’s back-line.
This has been espcially evident this term, with the England international having bagged six goals and two assists in 11 league games.
Having earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup, Wilson adds something completely different up top compared to Harry Kane.
The 30-year-old made a number of excellent performances off the bench for the Three Lions, and he would have caused the French defence big problems if he had been subbed on for the England captain last night.
Regardless, Newcastle fans will be relieved the forward is returning to Tyneside injury free, with the Toon now preparing for their EFL Cup clash against Bournemouth on December 21.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
