Yoane Wissa Shock Impact as Eddie Howe Praises Newcastle’s £55m “Number Nine”
Yoane Wissa may still be easing his way into Newcastle United’s starting XI, but his impact so far has been impossible to ignore. The £55 million striker produced another decisive moment on Tuesday night, scoring early as the Magpies claimed a 3–1 Premier League win over Burnley.
It was only the second start of Wissa’s Newcastle career since completing his deadline-day move from Brentford, yet once again he delivered when it mattered most. For Eddie Howe, the performance offered far more than just a goal — it provided a timely reminder of why the club invested so heavily in the DR Congo international.
After missing valuable minutes earlier in the season due to a knee problem, Wissa is now beginning to look sharp. Much like his maiden start against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, he showed his trademark instinct inside the penalty area, striking early and setting the tone for the match.
Speaking after full-time, Howe was glowing in his assessment of the 29-year-old, praising not only his finishing ability but also elements of his game that have surprised many observers.
“Yoane is a proper number nine,” Howe said. “He wants to stretch defences, run in behind, and he has a very natural sense of where goals are going to come from. He’s often exactly where you want your striker to be.”
That awareness was crucial for his opener at Turf Moor. While it may not have been the most spectacular finish, Howe stressed that goals like that come from intelligence, movement, and anticipation.
“It looks simple, but it isn’t,” Howe added. “You have to read the situation perfectly to arrive there at the right moment. He did that, and he nearly scored again. It was classic centre-forward play.”
What impressed Howe just as much was Wissa’s overall contribution. In a physically demanding away fixture, the Newcastle boss highlighted the striker’s work rate, strength, and unexpected aerial presence.
“He worked extremely hard for the team,” Howe continued. “He led the line really well, and physically he gives us a lot. He was strong, competitive, and very good in the air — that’s something we’ve been pleased to see.”
While Wissa is not yet ready to start every game, Newcastle now have a reliable Premier League goalscorer available at a crucial point in the season. His track record speaks volumes: 20 goals in all competitions for Brentford last season, 12 the year before, and now two goals from two starts for his new club — all achieved without taking penalties.
That consistency could prove vital as the fixture list intensifies. With Nick Woltemade still adapting to Eddie Howe’s system and showing signs of fatigue after a punishing December schedule, Wissa’s return to fitness arrives at the perfect time.
Newcastle face a relentless January, with nine matches across four competitions, and squad rotation will be essential if they are to remain competitive on all fronts. Having a striker with Wissa’s instinct, experience, and physical profile could make a decisive difference.
If this is what Wissa can deliver while still building match sharpness, Newcastle supporters may soon be seeing far more of the £55m forward — and far more goals to go with it.