Newcastle United fans will love what Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said about striker Callum Wilson in regards to his chances at making the England squad for the World Cup if he starts well next season.
Newcastle have enjoyed a hugely successful season under new manager Eddie Howe and new ownership in the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) as they dragged themselves out of the bottom three and are now looking at a top ten finish in the Premier League, currently sitting 14th.
A big reason for their increase in form has been down to the signings made in January, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, and Matt Targett all making instant impacts for the team. However, one man who may have been forgotten due to injury is Callum Wilson.
Wilson has proved himself to be a formidable striker and when fully fit, Merson believes that if he can kick next season off with a bang there is no reason why he can’t make the trip to Qatar with the England team.
He said on Sky Sports Soccer Special: “If Callum Wilson comes back firing at the start of next season, I think he goes to the World Cup. I think he’s got international movement. I think his movement as a centre forward is better than all the others, bar Harry Kane.”
TIF Thoughts on Merson’s comments…
Newcastle fans will be buzzing with Merson’s comments as Wilson has been a prolific striker for years and has failed to get much recognition from the international set-up, having only made four appearances for the national team since 2018.
While the former Bournemouth striker has faced several injuries in recent seasons, most notably a calf injury that has seen him miss 18 games this season, he is still a good goalscorer, having netted six this season despite facing lengthy time off the pitch.
So far during his time at Newcastle, he has managed 18 goals and five assists in 44 games, primarily playing for an underwhelming team. He now has the backing of the PIF and a manager in Howe that knows how to get the best out of him from their time together at Bournemouth where he bagged 67 goals and 30 assists in 187 appearances.
If he can replicate this form next season there is no reason why he could not knock on the door of the England squad, especially seeing how Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Patrick Bamford have both had down seasons as well.
Should Wilson go to Qatar?Yes
No
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