Where Does Yoane Wissa Even Fit at Newcastle as Injury Hell Almost Over

Yoane Wissa has had a nightmare start to the season with life at Newcastle United yet to really get going at all.

The DR Congo star has been out of action since early September having picked up what was a serious knock on international duty where he suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury.

Just a few days prior to that problem which knocked Eddie Howe for six, the attacking player had signed for his new club in a £55million switch from Brentford. That deal came under controversial circumstances after Wissa, 29, had forced his move to St James’ Park.

Wissa followed the guide set by Alexander Isak who had demanded a move away from the club with both players really seeming to dampen their legacy at their respective clubs with the fans unhappy at how they conducted their business.

Still, the player got his dream move but it has thus far seemed like a nightmare as he has not kicked a ball in anger for the Magpies since the big money arrival.

The injury suffered on international duty allowed Newcastle to claim compensation from FIFA but it obviously did not help with their on-field form which has been up and down so far. Manager Howe has come in for some criticism from sections of the support with “sack season” in full swing. Already four bosses have lost their jobs – Nuno Espirito Santo, Graham Potter, Ange Postecoglou and Vitor Pereira – but Howe looks safe at this moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXWcgZ04zV4&t=1s

The Englishman has Wissa finally ready to make his comeback to action and, on paper, that should certainly help the club’s chances of catapulting themselves up the division considering how important the playmaker was for his former club and could be for his current outfit.

But football often has a funny way of working itself out and Wissa now faces a serious challenge to even be considered for the starting XI despite his whopping price tag for a 29-year-old. We at FootballBlog have considered the set up at St James’ Park that Wissa will have to fight through to make himself valuable to the team.

Newcastle’s strong starting XI

Newcastle may not exactly have had their best season ever by matchday 13 but Howe has found a starting lineup which seems to work well right now. Victories over Manchester City and away at Everton in what was a terrific 4-1 win on Saturday have shown the club’s attacking prowess.

The likes of Nick Woltemade have had to find time to gel and bed into the system the manager wants his players using while the big German forward has also had to get used to his teammates and what they require of him.

Potential Scotland World Cup hopeful Harvey Barnes has also come into his own in recent weeks and has shown the form which landed him his move to the club from Leicester City in the first place. His double vs City in a 2-1 victory was the ideal performance. On the other flank has been Jacob Murphy and the wide player has been steady and consistent over the past number of years for his side.

Anthony Elanga is experienced in the wide areas, too, having joined from Nottingham Forest for £55m earlier this year. Anthony Gordon is a starting player for the most part and will want to come back into the fold having only been used vs the Toffees from the bench.

Where does Wissa fit in at Newcastle?

That is the million dollar question right now. Had Wissa arrived in the summer and been available straight away, it is possible the Congo frontman might have gone right into the XI at the expense of Barnes or Murphy, potentially, given the money spent as well as his record of 49 goals and 13 assists for the Bees.

His experience would have fit well into Howe’s team and still obviously will when he is eventually given his shot. The issue is where the boss can afford to disrupt his current XI and the form players who are coming onto a game.

Barnes has seven goals in 20 this term so far with his assists sitting at two. Murphy has two and three. Wissa will surely have to oust one of those players and right now it looks like he may be best suited on the right of a front three if he’s picked.

What Eddie Howe has said about Yoane Wissa

Howe admitted that Wissa is closing in on a comeback after he missed the clash with Everton. But he did acknowledge that it might take a little bit more time before he chucks him in to avoid complicating his injury.

“Yoane participated in an 11v11 training game while we were at Everton.

“He’ll have another one at some stage this week and we’ll see how close he is,” the manager said.