Eddie Howe applauds the Newcastle United fans in the wake of the defeat to Everton (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA)
Eddie Howe applauds the Newcastle United fans in the wake of the defeat to Everton (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA)
EDDIE HOWE will hold talks with Callum Wilson after the Newcastle United striker appeared to say his goodbyes in the wake of today’s final-day defeat to Everton.
Wilson was a second-half substitute as the Magpies booked their place in next season’s Champions League despite suffering 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
While the rest of Newcastle’s players celebrated their side’s European success, Wilson embarked on a solo tour of St James’ that saw him applaud all four sides of the stadium.
The 33-year-old, who is due to reach the end of his current contract next month, was clearly emotional, and while Howe claims talks will place with the striker and his representatives in the next few days, Wilson’s five-year spell as a Newcastle player appears to have reached an end.
“Let’s wait and see,” said Howe, when asked whether Wilson was saying a final post-match goodbye. “We’re going to sit down and talk with his representatives.
“What I can say is that Callum Wilson is, and has been, an incredible footballer for Newcastle. He’s someone who epitomises the spirit that has got us to where we are.
“He’s professional, brave – to come here and be the number nine in the manner and the moment he did, it was a difficult moment in the club’s history. The club needed hope – and Callum gave them hope. He dealt with the pressure and responsibility that role brings unbelievably well.
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“He brings a positivity to the group, he’s a leader within the changing room, he’s just been incredible. Let’s wait and see what happens, but it was great to see him have that relationship with the supporters. There’s still so much respect there between the two.”
This is set to be a summer of considerable transfer activity on Tyneside, with qualification for the Champions League having significantly strengthened Newcastle’s financial position.
There is a determination to hold on to the club’s leading lights, although Howe accepts that after a succession of transfer windows in which the status quo was largely maintained, the time has arrived for some squad restructuring.
“Change is a natural process that you go through in life,” said the Newcastle boss. “A football squad has to evolve, it has to change.
“The same people coming back to form the same squad is not healthy. That’s always very difficult to do because you are losing people that have given you absolutely everything, in every moment, in every training session, in every game. It’s some people who have done unbelievable things to help you achieve success.
“But sometimes the best thing for you and for them is for you to part ways. It’s not necessarily a negative thing for either party. But I think we’re sort of in that position where we need some healthy change to the squad.”