How do you Solve a Problem like Joe Willock?
Les considers the future of a player who has much to prove in the final four games
The enigma that is Joe Willock is something I love to see, when he’s on song he’s poetry in motion. Silky smooth like chocolate, the lad oozes class and style, he can ghost past players with minimum effort and then with little fuss he will stroke ball so gracefully you just drool at the sight.
Who can forget that assist for Isak against Spurs taking the ball in his own half and after a quick opening of his stride he glided a pass with outside of his right foot that was sublime. Or the scoring sequence that saved our bacon when he joined on loan to score 6 games in a row before his 22nd birthday.
Recently it’s been frustratingly different. The last two seasons have been punctured by regular bouts injury for Joe. A bit like Callum Wilson, the lad seems to really suffer from muscles that just fail him - just as he gets back something goes again. This has held him back in my opinion, it would be nice for him to get regular footy and build up a head of steam.
A firing Willock is a big, big asset, especially when we are in transition. He can carry the ball and outrun defenders or give a quick pass (aka Isak’s) and so offers a few different dilemmas for opponents, and he’s more than capable of pitching in with a few vital goals as well.
This season has seen him get back fit and he has been involved and available for much of 2025, but in the main he’s flattered to deceive if we are honest. End product has been very inconsistent and in some games he’s been pretty anonymous. He had a great game against Birmingham and scored a couple but also missed a sitter which he’s done once more since.
Getting replaced against Ipswich was very telling. One of the rare starts he’s had I reckon he thought he might play through, but maybe Eddie was thinking I’ll protect him now knowing the other Joe, Joelinton, is out for the season. Or was it tactical? Either way his face wasn’t buying it and he looked sick, his big chance for a run and he didn’t really have an effect on the game.
This summer might be a crossroads for him. He has four games left this season as I think he will certainly start against Brighton. Four games to prove he can be the Joe Willock we all know and love to Eddie and his team. If he doesn’t perform and either relinquishes the spot to Lewis Miley or struggles through playing poorly until the end, then I think his time at Newcastle might come to an end.
Under the PSR constraints which pervade these days, selling on players at the right time and for the right price is a vital skill that clubs need to have to make every £ stretch to its fullest. He might just be a luxury we can’t afford as he’s now out of the “future prospect” category and needs to be effective most games to warrant a squad space.
If you factor in that our midfield isn’t as strong as it could be? Joelinton seems to have an ongoing issue with his knee which, as he turns 29 during the summer, might prevent him from playing week in and week out. It seems certain that Sean Longstaff will move on, and that leaves only Lewis Miley as cover for the three incumbents, so recruitment in this area will be discussed and probably sorted during the window.
Either a big end to the season from Willock which convinces the hierarchy he’s a valuable player to us or a sensible £20m+ offer would see him moved on to be replaced by a player that is an upgrade.
Sad to say but he is one of our sellable assets of which we have few and I think the upcoming games will decide which direction his career takes.
Les Cash
Spot on.
Can I also throw in the 90th minute run down the line and cross for Bruno to head in the winner v Leicester.
Willocks trickery on the half way line to leave the Leicester player in his dust was class
I agree, he is sellable but I think for the next four games he’s the best one to deputise for his namesake. We all know Miley’s a class act but the left-hand side is not exactly his position, he’s more similar to Bruno and Sandro in style. Willock can gallop when at full fitness as you say, so I’d have him in until the other Joe comes back.