Callum Wilson has been a great servant for Newcastle United, but this season has shown the club is ready to move on without him.
The 33-year-old’s contract expires in the summer and it’s my belief the club should avoid offering Wilson an extension, unless he accepts a significant salary reduction, with his current level far from that of a starter.
Wilson has given us some great moments over the years but time has been unkind to the forward who has suffered with frequent injuries and looks a mile away from his old self when fully fit.
The powers that be must be careful not to be burned by sentimentality, and should base their decision on whether or not to extend on what they have seen on the pitch – which has been far from good enough.
Callum Wilson had the opportunity to shift the fans perspective of his current form and win the support around when he started over the absent Alexander Isak against Arsenal on Sunday, but a first Premier League goal of the season continues to elude him.
In fact, Wilson didn’t even really look like scoring and truth be told hasn’t really offered anything all season and the fan reaction towards the once regular goalscorer has become increasingly sour after a terrible campaign.
It would be bordering on self sabotage to offer Wilson a new contract on his current wage. Paul Mitchell must push back on the temptation to keep a big character around the dressing room based on what we have seen the striker fail to produce this season.
Wilson has been a very good servant and a goalscorer during some tough times. It just feels like the right time for all parties to part ways. Hopefully on Sunday he signs off with a goal and gets a big send off if this is to be his last dance at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are not short of senior professionals within the squad who will remain active amongst the first team next season, so I’d question is REALLY needed in that sense considering he’d take up a squad space and a hefty wage with it.
Bruno Guimaraes, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn, Joelinton, Fabian Schar and possibly Kieran Trippier will all continue to make their voices heard in the dressing room next season – and Alexander Isak is more than a capable enough role model for Will Osula.
The Danish forward would operate as deputy to Isak if Wilson was to depart as things stand. Osula’s raw talent is still being crafted into a more dangerous output, but the 21-year-old is at the very least a problem for defenders.
Going into Europe next season, hopefully Champions League football, you could make the argument for strength in depth – but what strength is there in that depth if you receive another campaign of poor performances on large wages.
There is also the very distinct possibility that a new forward comes in should Wilson depart, either a right-winger who can play centrally or an out-and-out No. 9, with Osula’s minutes continuing to be less frequent.