It’s time to talk about Callum Wilson and that number nine shirt…

Callum Wilson’s £20m signing last summer felt like a no-brainer for a side that was totally bereft of goals in the 2019/20 campaign.

With 38 goals in 38 games, just three sides scored fewer than Newcastle last time out; two of them – Watford and Norwich – finished 19th and 20th.

Our 4-2 demolition of third-placed Leicester took our tally for the season up to 40, smashing our 2019/20 total with three games still to play.

Wilson is our top scorer with 12, despite missing a crucial two months due to a hamstring problem. His absence was untimely as Allan Saint-Maximin and Miggy Almiron also had to face lengthy spells on the treatment table.

Our goals vastly dried up, and supporters feared the worst.

Once they returned our attack became potent once again; you just have to ask Caglar Soyuncu and Wesley Fofana, of Leicester, who are no doubt still having nightmares as we speak.

Since Alan Shearer retired in 2006, there have been six players don the famous number nine shirt. Only one – Papiss Cisse in 11/12 – has scored more goals than Wilson in the top flight.

From the moment he joined, Wilson has proved that he is more than capable of repping our legendary jersey.

A hungry, hard-working, physical and ruthless striker who craves scoring goals and being the focal point for the team. He possesses a real selfishness in the final third that every team needs, and, alongside Southampton’s Danny Ings, is the best striker in the bottom half of the table.

Supporters are quick to point out that a player should earn the right to wear the number nine at Newcastle, rather than be handed it on arrival. Wilson, by all arguments, has certainly earned his stripes.

Taking the shirt off Joelinton’s back could ease the burden on him, too.

Through trial and error, we have worked out that our £40m Brazilian striker isn’t even a striker, so what’s the point in giving him a squad number where you are expected to score goals?

Wilson previously said that 13, his current digit and what he wore at Bournemouth, is lucky for him and refused to comment on taking the number nine when he first signed because he didn’t want to rock the boat.

However, now is the time to make the call and reward him for the points he has secured for us this season.

A shirt that was worn by Milburn, MacDonald, Ferdinand and Shearer would certainly appeal to an ambitious character like Wilson, and what else would Toon supporters love to see than a goalscoring centre forward – wearing the famous number nine – when they return in full voice to St James’ Park next season?

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