Callum Wilson bids farewell to Newcastle United?
West Ham United striker Callum Wilson is set to face Newcastle United for the first time since leaving.
Callum Wilson joined West Ham in the summer after bringing an end to his five-year spell at St James’ Park.
A £20million signing from AFC Bournemouth in 2020, Wilson scored 49 goals in 130 appearances for the Magpies, helping them to retain their Premier League status before twice qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup.
But the 33-year-old had to deal with his fair share of injuries, a prime reason why the striker was only offered a pay-as-you-play deal when his contract was expiring in the summer.
Wilson took the decision to leave United before moving to West Ham on a free transfer. The Premier League match between the two teams this weekend is the first time Eddie Howe and Wilson have been reunited.
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson reunion
Howe’s relationship with Wilson dates back before Newcastle after Howe signed Wilson for Bournemouth 11 years ago.
“It will be great to see Callum, but I think most importantly, we have a job to do against him,” Howe said. “I think I've said many times in this position how good I think he is, and his qualities as a player are undoubted.
“So again, for our defenders and for our whole team, we need to be concentrated against him, because it's just one moment, one lapse in concentration, and he will punish you. I look forward to seeing him and embracing him after the game, but it's about work and trying to stop him.”
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson’s Newcastle United exit
Had Wilson signed a new deal at Newcastle, then there was a fair chance he would have started the campaign as the main striker.
Part of Wilson’s reason for leaving was being behind Alexander Isak in the pecking order, however, the Swede’s decision to go on strike and ultimately force his £130million British record move to Liverpool left United without a senior centre-forward.
In the final few days of the summer transfer window, Howe brought in Nick Woltemade for a club-record £69m, while the number nine, left vacant by Wilson, was taken by Yoane Wissa, who arrived from Brentford for £55m.
The original plan was for Wissa to come straight into the starting XI and give Woltemade time to settle, however the German had to be thrown in at the deep end after Wissa picked up a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo.
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Again, the likelihood is Wilson would have been given an extended run in the side but fortunately, Woltemade has immediately hit the ground running with six goals in nine starts.
Asked if he wanted to keep Wilson, Howe replied: “I think my love for Callum is as high as it could ever be. As a player and as a person who did what he did for me, the games that he played, the goals that he scored, I'm talking historically as well, our time together at Bournemouth, the attitude that he played with on and off the pitch, the injuries and setbacks that he suffered and his character to fight through them. I couldn't respect him any more than I do.
“But I think sometimes for everybody it's best that you have to part ways. That's the sad thing of life and football. You can't stay together forever. I wish him well. I'm watching him and just wishing him the best.”
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