Yoane Wissa pictured as he heads back to the Newcastle United dressing room.placeholder image
Yoane Wissa pictured as he heads back to the Newcastle United dressing room. | NUFC
Yoane Wissa looked despondent as he headed back to the Stamford Bridge dressing room and did not feature in Newcastle United’s post-match team photo.
Yoane Wissa was not pictured in the traditional team photo after Newcastle United beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
And in footage uploaded by the club’s media team, the 29-year-old looked despondent as he trudged back to the dressing room. Wissa was an unused substitute for the second consecutive game, with Eddie Howe preferring Anthony Gordon up front.
Nick Woltemade started but he operated in midfield before being hooked for Joelinton. As for Will Osula, he also stayed on the bench as Newcastle dug in to grind out a 1-0 victory.
Yoane Wissa reaction a concern?
As has become customary since Howe’s appointment, the Magpies posted a team photo from the dressing room following the win. The manager, sporting director, players, coaching staff, kit men and other backroom figures were present.
Wissa, however, was absent. Fans also noticed his dejected look as he paced down the tunnel at the full-time whistle.
It has been a frustrating debut campaign for Wissa since he took the No.9 shirt last summer. He has netted just three goals in 21 games - hardly justifying Newcastle’s £55million fee.
Wayne Rooney berates Yoane Wissa
Following the draw with Barcelona in midweek, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney discussed Wissa’s lethargic post-match cool down. Woltemade - who also did not feature on Wednesday - was another star in the firing line.
"The problem they have got is the two lads up top, Wissa and Woltemade,” Rooney said. “I was watching them run after the game last night, two players who they (Newcastle) have spent a lot of money on and they aren't playing, in the running with the players who didn't play after the game.
“The two of them were at the back. They were doing the box-to-box runs and the two of them were lagging behind.”
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Eddie Howe sets Yoane Wissa challenge
Howe laid down the gauntlet to Wissa while speaking to reporters on Friday. He said: "Yoane is fit. Fitter, probably, than at any stage in his time with us. He's done a lot of work behind the scenes.
“He's making up for lost time in that respect. He's training with the group whenever we train and no injury concerns at all. The challenge for Yoane is, when introduced and on the pitch, he's got to perform. That will be the same for every player in the squad, then I have to pick who I think is best for the job.”
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