While many of the players Newcastle United is letting go of are reaching new heights, the team has to improve its sales.
While Elliot Anderson is playing brilliantly in a Nottingham Forest shirt, Yankuba Minteh has had a successful start to his Brighton career. As Newcastle United administrators rushed to comply with PSR, both players left the team during the summer.
Being a local boy who attended the Toon academy, Anderson is the biggest letdown. Alongside another former Newcastle United player, he is also excelling at Nottingham Forest.
Chris Wood is still doing well since leaving Newcastle United.
Chris Wood was loaned by Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest in January 2023. The agreement included a purchase commitment, after which Wood would pay £15 million to relocate permanently to the City Ground.
Wood is now on fire for Forest after a sluggish start. With 14 Premier League goals last season, he performed admirably.
With Wood now scoring seven goals in nine Premier League games, 2024–2025 looks to be much better.
In stark contrast to his tenure at Newcastle United, when he made 39 appearances in all competitions and only managed five goals, everything he touches results in goals.
Dan Burn’s remarks on Chris Wood
He scored two goals in Forest’s 3-1 victory over Leicester City last week, continuing his recent hot streak in front of goal.
Dan Burn, a former colleague of the 32-year-old who now plays for Newcastle United, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live that Wood truly merits greater recognition.
“First and foremost, he’s a great guy,” he stated.
“I’m very glad for him. He most certainly doesn’t receive the recognition he merits.
“The work off the ball, the way he can occupy two center halves, everything that a fan doesn’t see while sitting in the stands.”
Right now, he exudes confidence. He’s taking shots early, as you can see. I’m very pleased for him.
“He is a credit to himself for being as reliable as he has been in the Premier League for the number of years he has played.”
The sale of Chris Wood by Newcastle was a wise move.
Some Newcastle United supporters are undoubtedly questioning why we ever let Wood go, considering how well he is currently performing.
In actuality, though, his 2023 exit was a great financial decision.
Dan Ashworth did a terrific job selling him for £15 million after having signed him for £25 million a year earlier. Given that we most likely overpaid, a £10 million loss was not a huge problem because he had done his part to keep Newcastle afloat. Even that wasn’t a big deal because Burnley, a relegation foe, was weakened by his arrival.
It’s wonderful to see Wood performing so well for Nottingham Forest after Newcastle let him go at the perfect moment.
The only thing that frustrates Tyneside is that Callum Wilson is still injured even when he scores goals. Wood was dependable even if he did not score enough goals for Newcastle.
