The midfielder has now made 168 appearances for Newcastle United and will be eyeing a double century for the club in the 2026/27 campaign
Joe Willock
Newcastle United's Joe Willock (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Joe Willock has essentially shut down talk that he will be leaving Newcastle United this summer - by referencing his plans for next season with the Magpies FOUR times in an interview with the club's TV channel.
The former Arsenal midfielder has reflected on last season's poor campaign, in which the Magpies finished 12th, and looked ahead to what fans will hope is a much better 2026/27 season. Having lost 17 times and suffered two derby defeats to Europe-bound Sunderland, there has been a negative backlash on Tyneside.
Willock has been linked with a summer exit and named on a list of players who could leave Newcastle as they grapple with financial rules, with CEO David Hopkinson admitting that players may need to be sold to drum up funds for Eddie Howe's transfer kitty.
But he does not sound like a man who wants to leave the club, hinting he is ready to make it to a sixth year at St James' Park.
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As the near-disastrous season for the Magpies comes to a close at Newcastle, midfielder Willock said: "People are going to the World Cup, and some people are having a break.
"From there, have a break but full focus on coming back next season and coming back in the best possible way and look to next season."
Despite a shocking final day show at Fulham, Newcastle stars are vowing to dust themselves down and go again in August. With no European action on the menu for Howe and his troops, they can focus solely on the domestic front.
It has been a campaign of ups and downs for Willock and Newcastle, but their dreadful form in the Premier League has changed the mood on Tyneside, with some fans calling for a change in the dugout.
Willock said: "This season has brought us closer together. We have had to dig deep at certain times in the season.
"It has been quite difficult some days but next season it is going to be good.
"It is has been a big learning curve and next season we can push on and put things behind us."
Before then, Newcastle will be watching the World Cup with a big interest after call-ups for the likes of Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes will also be there and Willock hopes he will be able to welcome back a world champion in July.
Willock said: "We all congratulated Gordy (Anthony Gordon) and Dan Burn for getting picked for the England squad. I'm really happy for them, they deserve it.
"If England or Brazil get the final that would be good. Somebody would come back with a World Cup medal."
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