No Premier League player has been as clinical as Callum Wilson since his Newcastle United arrival two years ago. The Magpies’ number nine was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar this month.
Despite multiple injury setbacks, Wilson will fulfil a dream he outlined when he first arrived on Tyneside. Newcastle supporters have championed their striker since his £20million move from Bournemouth - and the stats justify his selection.
As far as strikers go, nobody has been able to find the onion bag quite like Wilson. From his first game in black-and-white stripes, the 30-year-old has the highest shot conversion rate (23 per cent) of any Premier League player to have scored 20 or more goals.
Harry Kane may well be first choice for Southgate in Qatar but England have a capable backup option should the captain get injured. A man who craves goals, Wilson has six in 10 games this season despite not completing a full 90 minutes.
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The fact he converts his chances more prolifically than Kane is a testament to the Toon striker’s credentials. Especially before the Saudi-backed takeover, when opportunities in front of goal under Steve Bruce were few and far between.
Question marks do remain over his fitness. After all, Wilson has missed 32% of the Magpies’ top-flight games since his arrival in September 2020. However, providing he stays fit, Southgate will be hoping - just as Newcastle fans already know he can - his selection can make a crucial impact at the World Cup.
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