Newcastle United’s Championship campaign this season has been nothing short of phenomenal. Although, after a great winning streak, their performance has become slightly erratic in the last few matches, they are still the favourites to qualify for the top flight English football this season.
Rafa Benitez has been heaped with applauds for bringing together a brilliant set of players to play some outstanding football. And his next target, as per reports, has been Bournemouth’s star forward Callum Wilson. Although Bournemouth’s manager Eddie Howe has played down all reports that the 24-year-old will leave Vitality Stadium anytime soon, the English player hasn’t gotten many first team chances lately.
Howe said, “He’s been in the game long enough, and he’s had speculation from the minute he signed here and started to score goals straight away. He’s been linked with clubs throughout that period. It’s nothing new for him or for us. Management of game time at this time of year is crucial. We love Callum, I think he’s an outstanding player. He’s done well for us this season, but we need to make sure every player is fresh when they play.”
Wilson has appeared 14 times for the Cherries this season so far scoring 5 goals. A natural target man, Wilson could be the ideal option for Benitez to have up front as a backup for Dwight Gayle. His classy finishing and ability to provide key passes by keeping hold of the ball up front could come in real handy for the Magpies.
Newcastle United haven’t had scoring problems this season as such with Dwight Gayle in terrific form so far scoring 19 goals in 21 appearances, and occasional chip ins from Gouffran, Ritchie, Shelvey and Perez. But as we know, Championship players haven’t always been the once to replicate their performances in the Premier League campaign, as we have seen with Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes.
A youth product of Coventry City, Wilson have come up the ranks of the club and played a significant role in helping Bournemouth qualify for the Premier League in the 2014-15 campaign, scoring 20 and providing 13 assists. After the Cherries qualified in the Premier League, his appearances have remarkably decreased.
Bournemouth have been one of surprise packages in the Premier League since their qualification. With a mediocre team, Howe has not only survived the first season in the league but has been a constant presence in the top half of the table this season. They would be quite unwilling to sell Wilson unless Benitez comes with something really tempting.
