The stats back up exactly why Yoane Wissa is good enough for Newcastle United.
He is the striker who Eddie Howe is targeting after missing out on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool. The Reds have swooped in for the Frenchman, forcing Newcastle United to move on to their next target.
Newcastle want to sign Wissa now, with the Brentford striker leaving the Bees’ pre-season training camp amid speculation over his future.
The 28-year-old could end up being Callum Wilson’s replacement at St James’ Park, even if some Newcastle fans are concerned by Wissa’s age. They should not be, as Wilson was 28 when he joined Newcastle too.
- Who is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle United’s £55m Alexander Isak replacement
Yoane Wissa equalled Alexander Isak in the Premier League last season
Age is just a number, while the more impressive figure is the amount of open play goals that Wissa scored for Brentford during the 2024/25 campaign.
The DR Congo international scored 19 times in the Premier League for Brentford. Incredibly, all 19 of those goals were from open play.
He did not score a single penalty, with Bryan Mbeumo in charge of spot kicks.
That makes Wissa’s season all the more impressive, especially when you compare him to Alexander Isak.
The 25-year-old enjoyed his best-ever Premier League season, netting 23 goals in the top flight of English football. But four of those goals were penalties.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
In regards to scoring from open play, Isak and Wissa were just as prolific as each other. That sums up just how good Wissa was for Brentford last season, and what kind of a striker Newcastle United could be getting.
Yoane Wissa’s remarkable Premier League record since joining Brentford
In fact, Wissa is a striker who has never relied on penalties in the Premier League.
Since arriving in England and signing for Brentford in 2021, Wissa has never scored directly from a set piece. He has netted 45 Premier League goals during his career so far, all of which have been from open play.
That highlights his ability in and around the box. While penalties should not be discounted, you always have a better chance of boosting your stats if you are your club’s designated penalty-taker.
Wissa has never had that luxury, nor has he needed it. It is not as if he has even taken a penalty and missed. Since joining Brentford, he has not taken a single penalty.
That should appeal to Newcastle, as they aim to sign a striker who can play alongside and provide cover for Isak.
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