Jeff Stelling names player NUFC would love to sign – Paul Merson disagrees & makes odd Joelinton claim

Jeff Stelling believes Newcastle United fans would “adore” the signing of Chris Wood – but Paul Merson has a very different view on the Burnley striker.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash at Turf Moor, the Gillette Soccer Saturday host backed the big centre-forward to be someone on our shopping list this summer, praising his record of 41 goals in 119 games for the Clarets.

Merson shot down this suggestion, however, believing Wood wouldn’t suit our style of play and suggesting he’s only effective because Burnley play to his strengths.

Bizarrely, he later claimed that Joelinton would score goals for Sean Dyche’s size due to his height and stature – although this to me shows how little he knows about the Brazilian, with him not known whatsoever for his aerial ability in the box!

Here’s what the Sky Sports duo had to say:

Jeff Stelling:

“I can’t help but think, if you look at the other side, Chris Wood cost £15 million.

“He’s got 41 in 119 for Burnley.

“Newcastle fans would absolutely adore a centre forward like Chris Wood, wouldn’t they?”

Paul Merson:

“I’m not sure. Chris Wood ticks every box for Burnley.

“If you have Chris Wood, you want to play the Burnley way. If you’re a big centre-forward, you get in the box, the ball comes in, they play 4-4-2, they don’t mess about, they put the ball in the box.

“One of the goals they scored against Southampton [in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat] was a 1980s goal.

“He ticks the boxes.

“If Joelinton was at Burnley, he would score goals. They would play to his strengths. If you’re a big centre-forward at Burnley, you will score goals. They work on percentages.”

Personally, I think Wood would be a handy signing and someone who could do well alongside Callum Wilson, however I do agree that he’s tailor-made for Burnley and a player who often relies on good balls into the box from wide areas.