Steve Sidwell has shared a fascinating insight into NUFC new boy Joselu from his time with the Spaniard at Stoke, claiming that he was a ‘frighteningly’ good finisher, praising the strikers ability and reassuring fans that the goals will come despite him missing a few too many chances so far.
Sidwell, who now plays for Brighton, was a former team-mate of Joselu’s at Stoke and is certain the 27-year-old will come good, calling him the best finisher at Stoke during a talk show on BBC 5 Live’s Football Daily.
“Joselu who’s gone their from Stoke. Obviously I played and trained with him and I’ve got to say he was probably one of the best finishers at Stoke. Honestly, frightening,’
“If you called up any of the lads from Stoke now they’d honestly say he was unreal. Left foot, right foot, any kind of finish in the air.’
“What’s encouraging is, having gone to Newcastle, he is getting in the positions to do it and it’s only a matter of time. If it does click, he will go into double figures.’
“At times when he was at Stoke he was a lone striker doing jobs he maybe didn’t want to do, but I think he’s learnt now and that mentality has kicked in.’
“He knows he’s got to put that graft in now, but as far as finishing is concerned he could do every type of finish. In the box, outside the box, volleys, Left foot, right foot, honestly, he was superb.”
Sidwell’s comments are fascinating, giving us hope that the Spaniard will come good after revealing just how impressive he was on the training pitch at Stoke. It’s also very true that getting in the positions to score is half the battle, with the former Stoke midfielder suggesting it’s ‘only a matter of time’ until he clicks and starts finding the net.
It does makes you wonder why he wasn’t being given more of a chance under Mark Hughes if he was the club’s most emphatic finisher, but it’s certainly a reassuring message from Sidwell, who’ll know the striker well after playing with him each week at Stoke.
Thankfully, Joselu is already off the mark after his strike against West Ham United on his first start. but he’ll have to start converting these chances soon if he is to prove Sidwell right.
