Joe Willock’s first season as a permanent Newcastle United player has unfortunately not really gone to plan.
The midfielder was the Magpies only first-team addition last summer, joining the club from Arsenal in a £25 million deal (Sky Sports).
Newcastle spent most of the summer chasing Willock after he had shone on loan in 2020/21.
The star scored eight goals for the club, contributing massively to Newcastle’s successful safety mission.
But he has been unable to get anywhere near that kind of form this term.
He is yet to get off the mark, and just recently he has lost his place in the starting XI.
Fans slammed his performance in the embarrassing FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United, and some are concerned that Willock is suffering as a result of his price tag.
One man who is backing Willock to turn things around though is Reiss Nelson, who is the 22-year-old’s best friend.
The pair came through Hale End together, and the winger is certain his pal will come through for Newcastle.
He told the Chronicle: “For me, Joe is one of the best attacking midfielders I’ve seen.
“There’s still so much he can do and improve. He’s always in great positions and he also does the ugly side of the game as well, which people don’t really see.
“He’s the full package, especially for a young player.”
One year on since he first joined the club, Newcastle again need Willock to provide a spark.
The threat of relegation is very real. And Eddie Howe needs everyone to improve in the second half of the season.
Reiss Nelson backs Newcastle star Joe Willock, but regular minutes could be hard to come by
Maybe Nelson is bound to speak highly of Willock, given their friendship.
Newcastle fans will seriously hope there is a massive change in his performance level for the second half of the season.
It just hasn’t been good enough so far. No one expected him to rattle in the goals like last season. But people expected much more than what he has shown.
No one will be itching for Willock to improve more than Willock himself.
It remains to be seen how much Howe uses him between now and the end of the season.
Joelinton is being used in midfield now, and obviously there are transfer rumours every day.
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