Alan Shearer knows a thing or two about scoring goals, boasting the honour of being Newcastle United’s all-time leading scorer.
He is also the leading scorer in Premier League history, so he knows what it takes to be a good striker.
Newcastle United currently have two of those, with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson experts at hitting the back of the net. The former has just enjoyed the best season of his career, scoring 24 goals for the Magpies. As for Wilson, he still managed to hit double figures in a campaign that was ruined by injury.
The Magpies are in a real position of strength, with Eddie Howe having two top level goalscorers. Some clubs wish they had just one.
Joselu braced for Champions League final on Saturday
That brings us to Joselu, the former Newcastle United striker whose semi-final brace guided Real Madrid into the Champions League final. His two goals are the reason Los Blancos are facing Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night at Wembley, as they go in search of their 15th European Cup.
It has been incredible to see the 34-year-old do so well at Real Madrid, especially given how much he struggled during the formative years of his career.
Joselu was alright but hardly prolific in Germany, while a move to Stoke City did not open the floodgates. Neither did signing for Newcastle United, who paid £5million for the forward in 2017. He scored seven goals in 52 appearances for the Magpies, yet is now on the brink of Champions League glory.
Alan Shearer reflects on Joselu’s Newcastle United career
It is a story that has staggered Alan Shearer, who has spoke to the Athletic about what he really thought of Joselu’s time on Tyneside.
“I had plenty of opportunities to see Joselu during his two years at Newcastle,” he wrote.
“It wasn’t easy playing up front for my old club at that point — they weren’t producing anywhere near as many chance as the likes of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak get these days. Still, seven goals from 52 games underlines the fact that Joselu didn’t make much of an impact.
“But I don’t want to be disrespectful — he’s just scored two goals for maybe the biggest club in the world to get them to the Champions League final. He might score the winner in the final. He’s obviously not top, top quality, but there’s something in there that they thought, ‘He’ll do, we’ll take a gamble on him’. And centre-forward play itself is all about gambling.”
Shearer is right about Joselu
Shearer has been pretty scathing about Joselu’s time at St James’ Park, but his recent upturn in fortunes should not cloud what were a poor two years under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle.
He seemed like a good professional who always tried his hardest, but there was not much of a goalscorers instinct. He did not boast a ruthlessness in front of goal like you would get from Shearer or Isak.
In his defence, as Shearer points out, Joselu did not play in a great Toon team – especially not a Toon team that created a lot of chances.
But this is not the same Joselu, who has become a different beast since leaving Newcastle United. He has started scoring more regularly, leading to Real Madrid taking a punt on him. That punt has now got them into the Champions League final, and he has the chance to make even more history on Saturday night.
After that, his attention will turn to the Euros, where he has been selected for the provisional Spain squad alongside former Newcastle United teammates Ayoze Perez and Mikel Merino. Maybe Rafa Benitez was on to something…
The post 'I don't want to be disrespectful': Alan Shearer admits £5m player simply wasn't very good for Newcastle appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.