Newcastle United signed Chris Wood from Burnley in January to bolster their attack, but the 30-year-old has only managed two goals in 14 Premier League games. Wood had to wait eight games to get off the mark and he’s recently lost his starting place up front, so Noel Whelan believes he will be replaced next season.
Newcastle paid £25m to sign Wood, but he might not be a regular in 2022/23. The Magpies are 13th in the league for goals this season (40) and don’t have a player with more than six goals, so Howe needs a prolific centre-forward to turn defeats into draws and draws into wins.
Wood boasted double figures in the Premier League for four consecutive campaigns, but will he be given the minutes next season to get his form back? Noel Whelan doesn’t think so, telling Football Insider: “It just hasn’t clicked for Chris Wood as quickly as he or Newcastle would have liked.
“They needed firepower and a different option, and he does offer you that. He’s got the height and the hold-up play to make himself a real nuisance. Wood leads the line well and occupies defences. But as a forward, you won’t have a good game unless you’re on that scoresheet.
“If you look at what they’re going to need beyond this summer – I’m sure they’ll be in the market for another striker. They’ll go into the market and spend big money. That will result in more competition for Wood to try and keep his place. You can never have too many strikers.”
Wood isn’t the only player who should be worried about his future, however. Wilson has struggled for form and fitness while Gayle has been surplus to requirements all season, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see two of the three centre-forwards moved on over the summer.
In other news, Newcastle should consider move for Ivan Toney
