Opinion

Newcastle mustn’t repeat Salomon Rondon mistake with Joe Willock

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Newcastle United ran out 1-0 winners against Sheffield United last night, with Joe Willock once again getting on the scoresheet.

The 21-year-old’s stunning form continued, and he’s now bagged in each of the last six games.

Newcastle United v Sheffield United - Premier League
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He’s the youngest player ever to score in six straight games in the Premier League, and needs to find the net against Fulham on Sunday to equal the club record of seven held by Papiss Cisse and Alan Shearer.

Willock’s impact at St. James’ Park has been quite remarkable, if a little unexpected.

His contributions have been absolutely huge for the Magpies, and it’s clear to see what he brings as an attacking midfielder.

Newcastle United v Sheffield United - Premier League
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Of course, Willock is only on loan at the club from Arsenal – and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Toon fan that doesn’t want him signed permanently.

That will be a priority this summer, or at least it should.

Newcastle mustn’t fail to bring him back when the influence he has is so striking, otherwise it could be another Salomon Rondon-type situation.

Newcastle can’t let history repeat itself

Before Willock, striker Rondon enjoyed a similarly fantastic and influential loan spell with Newcastle and by the end had won the hearts of the Geordie faithful.

He clearly improved the team, and it was obvious to pretty much everybody that he should have been signed permanently.

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But a move in the summer of 2019 was not sanctioned for the Venezuelan, and goals have been a relative struggle for the team since his departure.

Willock has demonstrated what a brilliant young player he is, and he can’t just become another player to perform amazingly on loan at the club without then being signed permanently.

He’s likely going to be expensive, but there is clear evidence now that he makes the team so much better. Not only that, the way Willock talks is like he’d be happy to stay, as was the case with Rondon.