Callum learned art of scoring the tough way
I’D BACK HIM IN ANY SITUATION INSISTS HOWE
IT HAS been a long journey from hoodie-wearing kid on the streets of Coventry to World Cup-bound England striker.
But Callum Wilson is ready to make an impact if anything happens to talisman Harry Kane.
Wilson joined Coventry at 17 before going out to non-League Kettering and Tamworth on loan.
He then linked up with Eddie Howe at Bournemouth after a £3million move eight years ago.
But amid the 61 goals in 171 league games for the Cherries there were two cruciate knee ligament injuries in 18 months.
There was a goal for England on his debut in 2018 against the USA, one of four caps.
And lately Wilson, 30, has been carrying the burden of Newcastle’s No.9 shirt, scoring six goals in 10 league games this season.
“It’s an amazing thing for him,” said Howe, now his manager at the Toon, ahead of today’s game with Chelsea.
“He’s had a difficult career. His is not all about successes.”
How has it happened? “Dedication to his work and a positive mindset,” added Howe. “He has a way of scoring and a uniqueness.
“Single-mindedness and an inner confidence has got him here. He believes in himself, not in an arrogant way.”
Wilson bought a Banksy artwork, Choose Your Weapon, to remind him of the urban child he was. He wants to feel like the footballloving street kid of the early 2000s.
The expectations of a nation will hang heavy on some but
Howe said: “I would back Callum in any situation. If he entered the pitch he would be able to score the goals England need – that’s always been in his DNA.
“He is going to want to contribute for sure. He doesn’t want to go there just in name.
“He has got everything and is at the peak of his powers.
“When I watched him before he signed for us [at Bournemouth] I saw a player with huge potential, physically one of the best players I had seen at that time. When we signed him you got that instant feeling this guy is special, that he has the character and the confidence to be a centre-forward for a big club. When you have a setback, every player has them. Callum’s have been his injuries.
“Every time he has suffered one there was no sign of him looking depressed or down. It was just, ‘I will deal with this and come back better and score even more goals’.
“I’ve seen the highs and seen him grow into a Premier League player from a lower-league player.
“I’ve seen him score hat-tricks in the Premier League and shared those moments with him. I know how desperate he was to go to the World Cup, so it was nice to share that moment with him.”
Newcastle also have Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope in Gareth Southgate’s squad, the first time since 1998 they have had three players with England – and another indicator the club are becoming a powerhouse again.
“It is great for us and we are proud of our international players,” said Howe.
“We want to be a place where players excel and thrive.”