Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier has been left stunned by how good Callum Wilson is and has admitted he struggles against him in training.
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The Magpies are flying high in the Premier League this season with a one-point cushion on fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur who are chasing down a spot in the top four.
One player who has been a key figure in Eddie Howe’s side this season is the 32-year-old Trippier who has become one of the first names in the 45-year-old’s starting XI.
However, he has admitted he has his struggles in training with their star striker, Wilson, often running him ragged at Darsely Park.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the FIVE YouTube channel, the England international has admitted Wilson is a player who will often give him a difficult time in training:
“Callum Wilson gives me a hard time every day. He’s just non-stop, like he’s just a bubbly guy, do you know what I mean? He just doesn’t shut up, honestly, every day, great character.”
Much-needed confidence boost
It has been a slightly turbulent season for Wilson who scored his first goal in the Premier League since October in the Toon’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Saturday.
The 30-year-old has still returned seven league goals in his 16 appearances in the top flight this season, however, the run of six-straight games without finding the back of the net will be a disappointment.
But going from what Trippier has said in the interview with Ferdinand, his goal drought is not for the want of trying with him impressing behind the scenes.
Who is better at Newcastle?
And it seems as if Trippier is not the only person on Tyneside who has been wowed by Wilson with the manager also hailing him back in the earlier stages of the season:
“He’s a hugely important part of our team, a focal point. We rely not just on his goals but his movement, his work rate. His appearance in the team gave us confidence.”
Wilson has proven himself to be a smart addition by Newcastle having returned 35 goal contributions in his 66 appearances for the Magpies (via Transfermarkt).
And to get the better of Trippier does show the striker’s quality considering the right-back has provided more tackles in the Premier League than the likes of Ben White and Kyle Walker combined (via Fbref).
Perhaps the goal on the weekend will be enough to guide Wilson back to his best form which will be crucial ahead of an important run of games for Howe’s men.
The Premier League games coming up will seem somewhat insignificant given they face Manchester United at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final at the end of the month.
But if Wilson can continue to provide the goals for Newcastle, a spot in the Champions League and a trophy could be on the cards for the Magpies in the remaining games of the 2022/23 campaign.