Ex-Toon hitman Andy Cole has delivered his verdict on who is the better summer signing – Newcastle’s Callum Wilson or Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
We amusingly managed to snare Wilson from under Villa’s noses, with him preferring a move to Newcastle over a return to the Midlands, and Cole believes Steve Bruce has managed to get the better deal, citing Wilson’s Premier League experience and Watkins’ lack of it as the deciding factor.
Here is what our former striker, who scored 68 goals in 84 matches in black and white, told the Daily Star:
“Only time will tell. I think at £20m it’s a good acquisition.
“He’s had a few seasons in the Premier League now, I think his best return has been around 15-18 goals.
“For Newcastle, if someone can give them 15 goals that’s a big plus and will be a real boost for them.
“The boy they got in last season, Joelinton, only got two goals and for a team like Newcastle trying to stay in the Premier League and kick-on in the Premier League they’re going to need someone who can get them 15+.”
“I think with Wilson, £20million, I don’t think that’s anything you can grumble at because you look at Aston Villa and they’ve spent £28million on a kid who has never played in the Premier League (Ollie Watkins), you don’t know what he’s going to give you!
“I think Steve Bruce has been very astute there, he’s got himself a good signing and after his goalscoring start he’ll be hoping he can see more of that moving forwards.”
Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins will improve both sides and I am not willing to stick my neck on the line and say which one will prove to be the better deal, with Wilson the more proven but Watkins perhaps having the higher ceiling if he reaches his potential in the Premier League.
From our point of view, Wilson is a quality buy and exactly what we needed this summer. He is a round peg in a round hole who will slot straight into our system, and doesn’t carry a risk. Like Cole says, he is Premier League proven, with a solid track record of 1 goal in every 3 games at top flight level.
Watkins’ ceiling could end up being higher than Wilson’s as he is still relatively young, but he hasn’t shown that he can cut it in England’s top tier – yet. His 26 goals in a slick Brentford side were impressive last season, however this has been his only big season on the goalscoring front.
Even if he does struggle and Villa do go down, their investment is protected to an extent as he is still a very capable Championship level striker who would have the ability to fire them straight back into the big time.
Do you feel we got the better end of the deal?
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He would obviously say Wilson, let’s see the end of next season. He was a bargain at £20 million but Ollie has already shown he isn’t scared of Premiership defenders. Let’s hope it’s a good season for both you and Villa
Peter Kikillos(Quote)
A 28 year old player with 1 season of more than 10 prem goals vs a 24 year old player who has continuously outperformed his previous years stats since becoming professional….real clear winner you got there, I expect you base your investing solely on past performance as well
swoop(Quote)
As Peter says, he would obviously say Wilson.
As a Villa fan, I am happier with Wilson. He is the right age and has the right attributes. He is already 2 in 2 and I think he will be a huge success for us and potentially the national side. Yes, he has no PL but neither did Tammy and look at how he performed last year.
That’s not to say I don’t like Wilson and would have been happy with him if we had got him when I thought we were going for two strikers. He is a decent player and, if you can keep him fit (I’m not sure having him and Carroll as your striking options bodes well on the “keeping them fit” front!) he’ll do a great job for you. Certainly a major step up in value over the £40m you spent on Joelinton!!
Good luck for the season.
barry’sboots(Quote)
Fair play mate – I do think Watkins is a real talent who’ll do very well at Premier League level.
He’s certainly got all the tools to succeed.
Think we’ve both got good strikers and two players our clubs badly needed after last season’s struggles.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Has Wilson not suffered a few injuries whilst Watkins has remained injury free. if so I would say Watkins is the better option.
Michael(Quote)