Newcastle United must find a 'different release' for Yoane Wissa in order for their number nine to thrive on Tyneside. That is the verdict of BBC pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards who feel Wissa enjoyed the responsibility of representing DR Congo and played with a freedom he has lacked so far at Newcastle.
Wissa's £55m Move and Injury-Plagued First Season
Wissa joined Newcastle last summer in a £55 million transfer from Brentford, having scored 20 goals for them in the 2024/25 campaign. However, he scored just three goals in his first season at the club, in a campaign ravaged by injury and fitness concerns. The 29-year-old ironically picked up a knee injury on international duty with his country just days after concluding his move from Brentford and missed his first three months of action at Newcastle. Since then, he has struggled for fitness and match sharpness, with Will Osula ending the season in the side up front ahead of Wissa.
World Cup Performances Show True Colours
Wissa's performances for his country over the summer have given Newcastle major encouragement ahead of next season. He scored three goals in four games as he helped DR Congo reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. His headed goal against Portugal earned plenty of plaudits, while his two goals against Uzbekistan helped seal DR Congo's first ever World Cup win. His second goal in that match particularly caught the eye: Wissa picked the ball up on the left-hand side of the box, cut inside his defender, and rifled a stunning effort into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Pundits' Analysis: Confidence and Responsibility
Micah Richards said on BBC Sport: "His movement in the box, he is sharp and you can see now he is full of confidence. This (his second goal vs Uzbekistan) epitomises that. Maybe at Newcastle he would have just set it off. But no, I am going to go at you and whip this in to the far corner. It is exceptional stuff. That is someone who is full of confidence." Joe Hart agreed, suggesting Wissa was 'shining with the responsibility of leading his country.' Hart added: "That is perfection that finish. Potentially at Newcastle he would have shied away. We know at Brentford he would have took it on but now he has come with DR Congo he feels that confidence, he is the main man, he wants to get on the ball, they are pinning their hopes on him and he is shining with the responsibility."
Rooney's Verdict: Different Release Needed
Wayne Rooney believes playing for his country was a 'different release' Newcastle need to discover next season. "He didn't have the greatest years at Newcastle but he was injured for large periods of that," Rooney said. "That is football. He was brilliant for Brentford but at Newcastle there was high pressure. They lost Isak so he hasn't started well but it has been a different release for him."
Wissa's Determination for Second Season
Wissa is determined to prove his worth on Tyneside next season and has vowed to come good in his second season. He is currently taking a break after the World Cup and is expected back in pre-season training at the KNOX training centre later this month.
