Wilson details conversation over squad number with Newcastle teammate Joelinton

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Callum Wilson has labelled Newcastle teammate Joelinton a ‘gentleman’ after the ace took on new squad number for the new season.

What’s the story?

The former AFC Bournemouth man will now wear the famous number nine. Meanwhile, the Brazilian is the recipient of the number seven jersey.

Speaking to Alan Shearer (via The Athletic), the centre-forward claimed he was eager to wear the famous shirt after arriving last summer.

Wilson made the move up north after the Cherries were relegated to the Premier League. However, his teammate had already joined the club a year previously in a club-record transfer and taken the number.

However, the 29-year-old has revealed Joelinton agreed to give up the number in a conversation with himself during the training camp in York.

When talking about their talk, Wilson said: “We were on pre-season in York. I hadn’t really thought about it, but it just so happened we were walking down the corridor, we were both on our own and I pulled him and said ‘I play predominantly down the middle and you play out wide a bit more, would you like to take 7 because I’d prefer 9?’.”

“And he just said, ‘Yeah, thank you for asking’. He was a gentleman about it. He’s such a nice guy, a top lad.”

Wilson deserves the new squad number after brilliant debut season for Newcastle

Last season was a great start to the striker’s time in the northeast.

As a matter of fact, some would say it went too well for the ace.

12 goals and five assists in just 26 assists in the Premier League highlight just how important Wilson was for the Geordies.

His contribution won the club a staggering 16 points last season with 11 of them coming in the side’s first 14 league games.

When you make a new signing, you hope for a great impact. But, it feels like Wilson was made to shoulder mass amounts of responsibility.

If you take a look at the situation, Wilson deserves the new squad number after his start to life at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Newcastle fans were loving Wilson’s recent comments about Steve Bruce.