Toon new boy Callum Wilson is aiming to get into double figures “as soon as possible” ahead of the 2020/21 season – and insists he’s eyeing a 20-goal haul at some point in a black and white shirt.
The 28-year-old – who’s also revealed his plan to get back into the England side – became a Newcastle player on Monday morning following his £20m switch from Bournemouth, and the striker has wasted no time in telling fans his goal target ahead of the new season.
Wilson only scored eight league goals in a disappointing relegation season with the Cherries in 2019/20, but has spoken of his embarrassment at having such a poor goal return last time out.
Here is what he told NUFC TV in his first interview as a Newcastle player, where he also talked about his plan to get into Southgate’s squad for next year’s Euros:
“I believe in my ability as a player. I’ve got Premier League goals to my name already.
“I didn’t have the greatest season last year, I’ll be the first one to admit. I’m quite an honest person and I’ll always analyse myself.
“Eight goals in the league is not something I’d like to associate myself with. So yeah, I’ll be looking to get into double figures as soon as possible next season.
“I have targets and as a striker I think it’s always important to set yourself goals both long term and short term and I’m hoping to achieve those.
“Like I say, my decision to come here, with the players behind me, I’m hoping to get the goals that we need as a team and obviously I want to help contribute to goals as well.
“You don’t just want to be associated with being a goalscorer you want to be a team player as well and I think that’s going to be important this season.
“My goal scoring targets I always keep to myself. Double figures is something I want to reach in the short-term and obviously after that you want to get to the 20 mark and see where you end up at the end of the season.
“For me, I know I have to score more goals this year to even have a chance or an opportunity to get to the England squad for the Euros.
“But, like I say, I’ve been working hard so far in the pre season and I’m ready to work hard from the day I start here and hit the ground running.”
If we can add a striker with double figures to our ranks then that will be a serious addition to our squad – and something we BADLY lacked last season.
Every man and his dog knew that we needed to bring a striker through the door and we have done exactly that with the arrival of Wilson.
His pace, movement and eye for goal should add an extra dimension to the Toon Army attack that now has real spark, with Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and fellow new boy Ryan Fraser likely to form a potentially destructive front four this season.
Our options certainly look a lot healthier now with the business we have done in the window, and with a couple more to come through the door this week, the fears around an inevitable relegation battle don’t look as plausible.
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