Willock is keen to be Shear class for Magpies
MATCHING ACE STRIKER’S GOAL RUN IS FIRST TASK
JOE WILLOCK has set his sights on making an instant impact at Newcastle – by equalling club legend Alan Shearer’s goalscoring record of eight goals in eight games.
The £25million new Newcastle signing wants to start against Aston Villa on Saturday and extend his run of seven goals in as many games that he first started when on loan last season.
Willock was a sensation for Newcastle on loan at the end of last season, steering the club away from a relegation fight into 12th place.
Willock said: “Alan Shearer is a legend and he is one in Newcastle and around the world. I looked up to him and he was an amazing player.
“To be talked of matching his record is an amazing feeling, but getting three points and our first win of the season is the most important thing at Aston Villa. I would be chuffed to do it and make a record in my own career.”
But while Shearer is the all-time top Toon idol, Willock has his own hero. He added: “My idol is Thierry Henry, a person I used to watch all the time and get inspired by.
“When he came to Arsenal as a coach we had a great relationship. I learnt so much. He has an elite mentality, hates to lose and has fight and drive instilled and he is an amazing person.”
Willock admits it was a wrench to leave Arsenal, where he has been since he was four.
He said: “I had the option of staying at Arsenal or looking for other avenues. Newcastle were top of my list and there was only one place I was going to go.”
Shearer took to social media to help persuade Willock to sign on a permanent basis. But he also revealed the dark side of social
I still get daily racist messages
media by revealing he regularly receives racist messages.
He added: “I saw Alan Shearer’s tweets, which inspired me to come to Newcastle. But I get messages every day about my colour and it is disgusting. Instagram and Twitter need to step up and eradicate it.”
Newcastle, meanwhile, could be forced to sell Sean Longstaff at a cut-price £10m as his contract runs down.
The 24-year-old is only on the fringe of the first team and, while manager Steve Bruce claims Everton have yet to make an enquiry, Rafa Benitez is credited with interest. Bruce is still eyeing Leicester’s midfield destroyer Hamza Choudhury but has no funds for a permanent move after signing Willock.
Bruce has also agreed to let Longstaff’s brother, Matty, go out on loan.