Why Chris Wood might just be the perfect fit for Newcastle United

Newcastle United have announced the signing of Burnley striker Chris Wood on a two-and-a-half-year contract, activating a £25 million release clause to bring the New Zealand international to St James’ Park.

Wood is the second arrival of the January window for the Geordies, who have already secured the services of England’s Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

After initially targeting the defence and midfield areas, news that star striker Callum Wilson will be out for eight weeks following a calf tear forced the club to alter their transfer strategy.

The signing of Wood has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Some consider the move as a panic buy to solve their problems with no long-term solution, while others believe the deal is a savvy one that also disarms their relegation rivals in the process.

In a desperate battle to beat the drop, the Magpies’ new ownership regime have opted to proceed with a shameless quick-fix approach, paying amounts that others are not either willing or able to.

After all, the Kiwi striker is now 30 and has only recorded three goals in 18 league games for a side who sit 18th in the league, far from a tally that suggests that the aforementioned buy-out fee should be triggered.

However, Eddie Howe’s side sit in a position where they can afford to pay an exaggerated price to secure a player who, more than anything, will cause their relegation rivals difficulty in trying to navigate the battle of the Premier League without their key man.

The new addition

Wood is an extremely physical player and a lethal operator in the air, with Newcastle appearing one-dimensional at times, having the 30-year-old will provide an alternate route to goal for the Magpies.

With new signing Trippier on the right and Matt Richie on the opposite flank, along with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey from set-pieces, Wood can be sure of receiving high-quality deliveries to attack.

He has been key to Burnley’s consistent overperformance under Sean Dyche, particularly working well with fellow striker Ashley Barnes. Having registered double figures in the last four Premier League campaigns, the Toon Army have a proven top-flight goal scorer on their books, something desperately needed in Wilson’s absence.

New manager Eddie Howe has been playing an unorthodox 4-4-2 formation so far, with the mercurial Allan Saint-Maximin playing as the furthest forward, a position not ideal for someone who prefers to play with freedom and creativity.

The Frenchman will now be able to carry out the role performed so far by Burnley’s brightest spark this season,  Maxwell Cornet. The Ivorian, who is currently on international duty at The African Cup of Nations, has six goals from 11 games this season, playing off the shoulder of Wood.

Dyche drew up a system that allowed both Wood and Cornet to combine efficiently at Turf Moor, with the duo complementing each other’s strengths. The hope is that Wood and Sain-Maximin will connect in a similar way, allowing the latter to reach his full potential.

Losing their first-choice striker will undoubtedly hinder Burnley. Dyche is said to be livid about the move, losing a key man to their fellow relegation strugglers, whereas Howe was understandably thrilled to get the deal over the line.

He said “Chris is an important signing for us at a crucial time and I’m very pleased we have been able to move quickly and bring him here. He is a very dangerous attacking threat, has a physicality and character that I really like, and he has vast experience in the Premier League. He will be a great fit for us.”

The rumoured targets

Inevitably, the Magpies have been linked to a host of strikers this window. Reportedly on their radar was Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden international, who impressed at the recent European Championships, reportedly has a release clause of around £75 million.

A slightly different option, Isak is an energetic and strong player, who despite being over six feet tall, likes to run with the ball and stretch the backline.

Another name rumoured to be in the pipeline for the team from Tyneside was Divock Origi, with Liverpool setting a price of around £7 million for the striker, whose contract expires in the summer.

Origi is still only 26 and has gained attention from a host of Premier League teams. Nevertheless, wage demands are reportedly an issue for those interested in his signature, an issue that Newcastle would not have struggled to deal with.

Will Newcastle be able to buy themselves out of the relegation zone, and will Chris Wood be able to save Newcastle and send his former employers down to the Championship? We will find out when the two sides face off on the final day of the season.

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