Much of this stems from his smart shot selection and movement inside the box. Wilson tends to avoid speculative long-range efforts, instead focusing on sharp bursts around the six-yard box and penalty spot. The result is consistent, higher quality chances. In 2022/23, he averaged 0.22 npxG per shot, a mark matched only by Jamie Vardy, while Wilson was unrivalled in 2023/24. With the arrival of creative wing-backs El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters, who recorded 0.16 and 0.17 xA per 90 respectively over the past two seasons, Wilson’s strengths could be maximised in this system.
Importantly, Wilson is more than just a finisher. In both seasons where he played over 1,000 minutes at Newcastle, he produced five assists, regularly showing the presence of mind to spot cutbacks to better-placed teammates. One of the most high-profile examples came for England at the 2022 World Cup, when he selflessly squared for Jack Grealish against Iran after breaking through on goal.
Of course, every player has shortcomings, and while hold-up play isn’t Wilson’s biggest strength, he mitigates this by drawing fouls in dangerous areas, a valuable trait to have, and something we’ve seen Paquetá do particularly well in pre-season when dropping out of the front two. In 2022/23, Wilson won 1.49 fouls per 90, and nearly a third of those free-kicks led to chances, aided by the first-rate delivery of Kieran Trippier. Graham Potter will hope for similar success with James Ward-Prowse’s deadball expertise, and the significant aerial threat that Tomáš Souček and Füllkrug provide.