Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has admitted to having ‘a bit of complacency’ after playing with England at the World Cup. But he knew he had to get back on track.
The 31-year-old represented his nation at a major tournament for the first time with Qatar 2022. Gareth Southgate named Wilson in his England squad for the World Cup following a strong start to the Premier League term for Newcastle. But his form dipped after the event.
Wilson started the season with six goals and two assists during 11 league appearances. Yet he failed to score in his first four games after the World Cup. The six-cap attacker also only scored once in his first eight matches, leading to Eddie Howe benching the Coventry native.
Newcastle star Wilson opens up on his post-World Cup struggles
But Wilson has been nothing short of sensational since rediscovering his goalscoring ability for Newcastle in April. The forward has now scored 11 goals over his last 10 games and laid on two assists. He has even hit braces against West Ham, Everton, Southampton and Leeds.
Such a prolific run of form has also seen Wilson register his career-best tally over a Premier League season. Only in 2018/19 with 14 goals for Bournemouth and in 2020/21 with 12 for Newcastle had Wilson ever previously hit double digits before his 18-goal term this season.
Now, Wilson has opened up on how going to the World Cup with England hurt his form for Newcastle. One of the major factors proved to be the FIFA tournament taking place in the middle of the domestic campaign. He featured twice in Qatar and also laid on one assist.
“I think coming straight back without any break didn’t do me any good, really,” Wilson has admitted to Sky Sports. “We had cup games we needed to be involved in straight away. You try to hit the ground running but I found it difficult to find that form that I had previously.
Newcastle struggled in line with the England striker’s tough time
“A bit of fatigue, a bit of complacency, the motivation had come down a little bit because it’s mid-season, I’d played at the World Cup.
“It was my first tournament for my country, so it was a new experience for me and one where there’s a few things I’d change now. But I definitely felt I had to get my act together again and start performing for Newcastle.”
Newcastle endured one of their worst runs of form this term as Wilson endured his tough time following the World Cup. The Toon only took four wins from their first 11 games after Qatar 2022, in which Wilson featured in eight. They also only scored 10 goals in that spell.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
