Willock the main man
While the summer window was for the most part quiet on Tyneside, Newcastle United made one big money signing, bringing Joe Willock back to the club from Arsenal after a brilliant loan spell with the Magpies in the second half of last season.
Joe Willock moves to Newcastle, a £25m deal with a sell on clause. A real transfer success for Arsenal — and they’ve been much too rare on the sales front recently. To turn an academy graduate into a PL standard player and money earner for Arsenal is a huge credit to academy.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) August 13, 2021
His seven goals in seven consecutive games last time out, drawing him level with the great Alan Shearer, was one of the main reasons that Newcastle were able to avoid the drop, but they have not been as successful in the early parts of this season.
Newcastle’s Joe Willock joins Alan Shearer in scoring in seven Premier League appearances in a row for Newcastle ⚫️⚪️
Willock becomes the youngest ever player to achieve that feat 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yh9n1TC6yM
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) May 23, 2021
The 22-year-old has made four Premier League appearances thus far this season, but has been unable to prevent Steve Bruce’s side from slipping to three defeats, with the north-east club still looking for their first victory of the campaign and currently hovering in 18th place.
Willock out for two weeks
To make matters worse for Bruce, he is set to be without his big money summer signing for the massive trip to Watford this weekend, revealing that the Arsenal academy graduate picked up an injury in training this week.
🎙 Steve Bruce speaks to the media ahead of #WATNEW:
“We’ve got a couple of problems. Joe Willock picked up an injury in training and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh against Leeds so they unfortunately go on to the injury list which makes it five or six we’ve got out.” pic.twitter.com/WsHe4MjHHJ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 24, 2021
When pressed on a proper timescale for his recovery, Bruce said that:
“He’ll not make this week and it’ll be touch and go for next week as well”
SB on injuries:
“Joe Willock’s was a complete fluke. He kicked the ground and damaged his toe. He’ll not make this week and it’ll be touch and go for next week as well. Jamaal Lascelles’ is a muscle injury. He tried yesterday but it was no good so it’ll be a couple of weeks.” pic.twitter.com/yhZGyyfpiP
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 24, 2021
Willock joins the ever-lengthening list of injuries currently on Tyneside, and given the poor investment in the summer, it has to be asked whether Newcastle can perform another miracle and remain in the division this season.
