'What a season': Alan Shearer says player Newcastle sold is now 'in the form of his life'

Today at 02:45 PM

It has been a mixed start to the 2024/25 campaign for Newcastle.

After losing a spot in the UEFA Conference League due to Manchester United’s FA Cup win, Eddie Howe currently seems unlikely to take the Magpies back to the heights of the UEFA Champions League.

As you can see, it has been a very balanced start to the season, with Newcastle winning three, drawing three and losing three of their nine Premier League games so far.

Salt is being rubbed in the wounds too after a poor summer transfer window, as a player Newcastle sold in 2023 is now “in the form of his life” – according to Alan Shearer.

Alan Shearer heaps praise on Chris Wood

Back in January 2023, Newcastle agreed to sell Chris Wood to Nottingham Forest for £15m – just 12 months after signing the striker in a £25m deal from Burnley.

The New Zealand international made 39 appearances for the Magpies – scoring just five goals – but has turned into one of the Premier League’s best goalscorers since moving to the City Ground, netting 22 goals in just 47 Premier League outings for the Reds, roughly one every two games.

After Wood netted twice in a 3-1 win over Leicester on Friday, Shearer wrote in his Premier League Team of the Week column: “What a season he’s having! Two more goals. He’s in the form of his life.”

It is now seven goals in nine Premier League games for the Nottingham Forest No.11 this season – only Erling Haaland and Bryan Mbeumo have netted more so far this season.

In case you missed it, Jamie Carragher also praised Wood after Friday’s win over Leicester, stating that the 32-year-old’s fellow Premier League players would have marvelled at his performance.

Newcastle could soon have a striker problem

Putting Wood’s success at Nottingham Forest aside for a moment, Howe could soon have an issue on his hands in the striker department.

Callum Wilson is still yet to make an appearance this season as he battles against a niggling back injury, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it feels likely the Magpies will let him go.

Furthermore, Arsenal and Chelsea are targeting Alexander Isak as the Sweden international stalls over signing a new contract at Newcastle.

Should both end up departing St James’ Park, it would leave Howe with just William Osula as his only striker, so Paul Mitchell – Director of Football – has his work cut out to deal with these situations.