Callum Wilson has lifted the lid on why he has left Newcastle United to become a free agent.
The 33-year-old is no longer a Newcastle United player, with his exit officially confirmed on Monday. Callum Wilson released an emotional statement, paying tribute to a special five years on Tyneside.
Fans have called Wilson a Newcastle legend following his departure, as the striker gets set to embark on a new chapter of his career.
Newcastle did want to keep Wilson at St James’ Park and spoke to him about a new contract, but he has chosen to go elsewhere.
Callum Wilson says he can offer ‘so much’ more after Newcastle United backup role
Now, in an interview with the i Paper, Wilson has explained why he came to the decision to call time on his Newcastle United career.
Callum Wilson speaks to Eddie Howe after Newcastle United's game against Everton.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Put simply, he did not want to spend the full season acting as backup to Alexander Isak. The forward still believes he has something to offer, despite the perception that he has slowed down over the past 12 months.
“When you’re coming on for five, 10 minutes here and there within a game everyone thinks that you can’t play longer than that,” he said.
“Everyone thinks ‘he’s losing a yard of pace’, all these other things, but obviously coming on as a substitute is completely different to starting a game.
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“When you come on as a sub it’s so hard to catch a second wind and before you know it the game is over. That was the only thing for me. I still feel I can offer so much.
“I had conversations with the manager and we established that I’m not at a point mentally where I’m ready to sit on the bench and play number two for the whole season.
“I don’t mind yo-yoing here and there but it’s got to be a fair fight.”
Callum Wilson to Manchester United suddenly makes less sense
Following news of his Newcastle United exit, it has been reported that Wilson has been offered to Manchester United.
They are in need of a new striker, and Wilson has the type of Premier League experience that could really benefit Ruben Amorim. However, the forward’s comments perhaps suggest why a move to Old Trafford is unlikely.
If Man United do take the opportunity to sign Wilson, he is not going to be a regular starter. He could end up in a similar position to the one he found himself in at Newcastle, struggling for sharpness amid fleeting cameos.
Instead, Wilson needs to join a club where he will play consistently and even be a starter. Hopefully he finds that, with Burnley interested in Wilson. While they are not as big a club as Man United, it could be a much better move.