Newcastle star has now surely ended Joe Willock’s career at the club
Eddie Howe’s persistence with playing Nick Woltemade in midfield looks set to end Joe Willock’s Newcastle career this summer.
Howe has moved Woltemade back into midfield to combat his struggles in front of goal over the last few months.
The German striker has started behind the number nine in each of the Magpies’ last four outings, including Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Qarabag.
His consistent inclusion in the starting eleven will be of concern to Willock, who looked set to step up and make his mark in Bruno Guimaraes’ absence, but has had to settle for a place on the bench or starting on the wing.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been linked with a Newcastle exit for several months now, and even though he remained on Tyneside past January, it does seem as if he is being lined up for a summer departure.
Joe Willock primed to leave Newcastle after Nick Woltemade development
Willock has been on the fringes of Newcastle‘s starting eleven for a while now due to the midfield quality at Howe‘s disposal, as he was handed just 11 Premier League starts last season.
He has again struggled for consistent game time throughout this term, with his last start against Man City being just his sixth in the Premier League so far.
Willock was forced to play out wide at the Etihad last weekend to accommodate Woltemade in the middle, while he started on the bench against Qarabag behind the big Germany international.
The pure fact that he is consistently being ousted by a six-foot-four-inch-tall striker playing in midfield should be enough for Willock to consider his future at St James’ Park.
It certainly seems as if Howe is doing so, especially as Tuesday night felt like the perfect chance to give him more minutes in a complete dead-rubber contest, yet he was only given half-an-hour from the bench.
To add to that, Willock’s performances have been nothing special this season, with a goal against PSG last month being his only real highlight so far.
Newcastle will want to splash the cash this summer to improve on what looks set to be a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, at least domestically, and so a sellable asset like the 26-year-old could well be allowed to move on after these latest developments.
Which team could Willock join if he leaves Newcastle this summer?
Willock has been slammed by Newcastle fans for his performances this season, and he celebrated his goal against PSG last month with a shushing celebration in a possible nod to the silencing of his critics.
Howe insisted after that game that he had shown “the Joe Willock of old” and had been training hard behind the scenes, but the last few weeks have shown that he faces an uphill battle in becoming a key player for the Magpies once again.
Football Insider revealed in early January that Leeds were eyeing a move for Willock, with Newcastle open to selling him for the right price.
Sources also told Football Insider that Crystal Palace were interested in a move for the 26-year-old, and a return to the capital could well appeal if they continue to keep tabs on his availability ahead of the summer.
Daichi Kamada is set to leave Palace in the summer at the end of his contract, while Adam Wharton has been heavily linked with a move and could depart for big money.
Willock would be a shrewd pick-up for the Eagles, and his sale would also allow Newcastle to reinvest in different positions that Howe may feel he needs to upgrade on.