60 miljoonan euron mies kateissa Newcastlen hyökkäys kärsii Yoane Wissaan kohdistuvasta pitkästä loukkaantumisesta
When Newcastle splashed out nearly €60 million this summer to bring Yoane Wissa from Brentford to St James’ Park, the expectations were simple: goals, energy, and a new dimension to their attack. What they didn’t expect was radio silence on the pitch.
The 29-year-old forward hasn’t kicked a ball for the Magpies yet. Just days after signing, Wissa picked up a knee injury while on international duty in September. Now, he’s been sidelined for weeks—and according to the club, will be out for at least another month. For a team that has stumbled through a rough start to the Premier League season, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
A Team Missing Its Spark
The reality is hard to ignore: Newcastle have managed to win only once so far, and the lack of firepower is plain for everyone to see. Alexander Isak has carried the weight up front, but there’s only so much one striker can do. Behind him, Callum Wilson has battled his own fitness concerns, and the depth chart feels frighteningly thin.
Wissa was supposed to be the answer. At Brentford, he earned a reputation as a versatile, direct attacker who could line up through the middle or out wide. Last season, he scored 10 goals in the league and regularly caused problems for defenses. He wasn’t just a signing—he was Newcastle’s statement of intent.
Eddie Howe Stays Calm—At Least Outwardly
Manager Eddie Howe has tried to keep spirits up, but he didn’t hide his frustration when talking about the situation:
“We haven’t seen Yoane on the pitch yet. That’s frustrating when you think about the investment we’ve made. But I believe this isn’t a serious injury. Hopefully, if we navigate the next few games, he’ll be back soon.”
Still, Howe couldn’t resist adding, *“touch wood.”* And that’s exactly where the anxiety lies—recovery is never guaranteed to be straightforward. For now, all Newcastle can do is wait.
Why Wissa’s Absence Hurts So Much
- Thin attacking options: Without him, Newcastle are dangerously dependent on Isak and Wilson—two players who can’t carry the full workload.
- Midfield under pressure: With fewer reliable forwards, the burden to create and finish chances shifts onto the midfield, which can warp the team’s balance.
- Psychological strain: When the marquee €57.7 million signing can’t even suit up, the weight of expectation and frustration only grows—for the team and the fans.
A Familiar Pattern?
For Newcastle, this has uncomfortable echoes of last year, when their headline signing, Sandro Tonali, ended up sidelined with a ban and other issues before he could truly embed himself. Different circumstances, but the outcome feels strikingly similar: a big-money arrival taken off the board before he could make an impact.
The Road Back
If all goes well, Wissa could be back in action by late October or early November. That would put him right in line for the busiest part of the season—the festive fixtures, when games come thick and fast and squads are stretched to their limits.
For Newcastle, who still have ambitions of chasing Europe again, his return could be perfectly timed. Without him, keeping pace with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham already looks like an uphill battle.
The Big Question
Newcastle have built their revival under Saudi ownership on strategic, sometimes bold signings. But big investments also carry big risks—and right now, Wissa is a reminder of just how fragile those bets can be.
His comeback could well flip the script on Newcastle’s sluggish campaign. Or, if setbacks linger, the January window might force the club’s hand yet again.
The Bottom Line
- Newcastle spent €57.7m on Wissa.
- He’s been out with a knee injury since September.
- Best-case return: late October or November.
- Without him, Newcastle have only one win.
- Howe insists the injury isn’t serious—but the team’s struggles say otherwise.
👉 What do you think: will Wissa’s return be the spark Newcastle so badly need, or do they already have to start eyeing reinforcements in January?