In a recent tweet, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh mentioned that Newcastle United are still in talks to sign Joe Willock from Arsenal this summer. It has been revealed that talks are still ongoing between the Magpies and the English midfield ace’s representatives over a potential move before the transfer deadline at the end of this month.
To update on this, following subsequent info, some issues were ironed out but talks are still ongoing between Willock's representatives & #NUFC. https://t.co/BzPx8w3eIB
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) August 11, 2021
Willock’s Sensational Loan Spell At Tyneside Last Season
Willock had an excellent loan spell at St. James’ Park last season as he caught the eye by producing a handful of brilliant displays for the Magpies at the centre of the park. The London-born midfield ace made 14 appearances for the Tyneside outfit in the previous campaign, finding the back of the net eight times in the process across various competitions.
The 21-year-old was a solid contributor in both halves based on his average of 1.9 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 1.4 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per game in the last Premier League season. He even interchanged possession relatively well from midfield after he completed 77.1% of his attempted passes in the English top-flight (stats via whoscored).
Willock is a player on the rise and would add more quality to Newcastle United’s midfield department if they can find a way to bring him on board before the transfer deadline at the end of this month.
What Will Willock Bring To St. James’ Park?
Willock is a tough-tackling, box-to-box midfielder who can chip in by scoring some vital goals for his team when he is playing with confidence on the pitch. He can read the danger quickly and can make a few crucial interceptions at the back. The English prospect can even pull off a few clever dashes with the ball towards the opponent’s penalty box. Moreover, he has got the eye to play a killer pass in the final third and can keep possession moving with ease and grace from midfield.
Thus, a player of Willock’s skillset will bring plenty of energy and dynamism to Steve Bruce’s midfield. He will offer some healthy competition for Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff at St. James’ Park in the coming seasons.
Bruce should consider going all out to secure the services of the English whizkid during this summer transfer period so that he has a strong squad capable of challenging for a top-half finish in the upcoming Premier League campaign.
