Newcastle United

Newcastle United: Shearer praises Willock

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Image for Newcastle United: Shearer praises Willock

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has urged his former club to break the bank for Joe Willock, also praising the Arsenal man.

Willock recently scored for the seventh game in a row for the Magpies, helping Steve Bruce’s men finish the season with a win over Fulham. The Arsenal loanee’s goalscoring tally helped him replicate Shearer’s record of scoring in seven consecutive games.

And Shearer offered his praise for the Englishman when he appeared on the latest episode of Match of the Day. He believes that the Magpies should sign Willock permanently as he offers something the Newcastle lack.

Can Newcastle sign Willock permanently?

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Yes

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No

He feels that Bruce’s side should be desperate to keep him and the midfielder is having ‘fun’ in a Newcastle shirt.

He stated (1:27:52): “He’s exactly what Newcastle have been missing and needing. It’s been a great signing from Steve Bruce because he offers Newcastle legs in that midfield. He drives forward and not many teams have been able to handle him.

“Look at the skill and the pace he’s shown to get up there. Alright, he’s got a bit of luck to get in there but he’s got the quality to finish it off. He’s had a brilliant time at Newcastle and they have to try and break the bank and be desperate to try and keep hold of him. He’s having fun in that Newcastle shirt.”

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TIF Thoughts on Willock…

Willock has been Newcastle’s second-highest goalscorer this season, only behind Callum Wilson, and the loanee has ended up at the club’s highest-rated player in the campaign (as per Whoscored).

He’s only behind Allan Saint-Maximin for dribbles per game and it shows that he does bring some pace from midfield, adding more ability to carry the ball from the middle of the park.

So while Willock has made a case for himself, perhaps a lot will depend on whether Arsenal can keep Martin Odegaard for another season or not. So Newcastle fans can only hope that the Gunners get to keep the Norwegian beyond this season so that they can offer Willock an escape route.

In other news: ‘Richard Masters won’t like that’, ‘Absurd’ – Many Newcastle fans react as news emerges

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European Football Writer. Contributed for FootballItalia, Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, Calciomercato, GFFN and more.