What is going on with Yoane Wissa? - Eddie Howe on Newcastle's £55m problem

Since Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Everton, so much of the debate, discourse and media discussion has centred around Nick Woltemade.

Big Nick may be struggling, with questions raised about his lack of form and where he fits in this Newcastle side, but not enough has been said about Yoane Wissa's displays.

Signed for £55m on deadline day, we clearly overpaid for the DR Congo striker, yet he arrived with a Premier League proven record, netting 20 goals last season and 12 the season before at Brentford.

However, as we head towards the run in, the 29-year-old has just one Premier League goal to his name all season, with his overall performances and lack of involvement leaving a lot to be desired.

Speaking to the media this morning, Eddie Howe was asked about his struggles this season, with the boss attempting to explain why his form has suffered during a "tough period" for him off the pitch:

"He didn't train a lot in the summer so obviously had a gap there in his physical preparation for the season and then picked up an injury on international duty.

"That's very, very difficult to adjust to mid-season. You have a six week pre-season for a reason to get players adjusted and ready for a new season.

"We haven't been able to do that with him, but he has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes on his fitness. He has just come back from another injury and we are hoping his best moments are ahead of him.

"Certainly, he has shown a great attitude to his training and he is really motivated and keen to do well for the club and repay the club and the supporters for everything they have given him.

"That's the situation, it hasn't been an ideal introduction for him coming here. It's been a tough period for him."

I understand a lot of it. His desire to leave Brentford meant his pre-season was a little like Alexander Isak's and far from ideal, then he was injured weeks after signing.

That September injury while on international duty was clearly a serious one, delaying his league debut until our slender 2-1 win at Burnley back in December.

So, it's been far from ideal, when you consider his lack of pre-season and an injury that's eaten into his 2025/26 campaign even further, but we're now three months on from his debut and we're seeing so little from him.

He has three goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, he's barely touching the ball when he comes onto the pitch, and I'm not seeing much of that pace, movement, energy or goal threat that made us commit to such an overpay last summer.

Hopefully he steps up soon and finds form and regains full fitness, as that £55m investment was heavily reliant on an almost 30-year-old striker hitting the ground running.