Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson harbours no concerns over Rasmus Hojlund’s tumultuous transition to Premier League life.
The Manchester United frontman was acquired last summer on a £72 million package deal from Atalanta and while he hit the ground running in the Champions League, scoring five times in six group-stage games, he was made to wait 15 games before registering his maiden league goal.
Hojlund opened his account on Boxing Day to complete the Reds’ emphatic and triumphant 3-2 win over Aston Villa. Absent from the loss to Nottingham Forest through illness next game, he then added to his tally at the next opportunity with the opener in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, as well as assisted for the first time by setting up Marcus Rashford’s 40th-minute strike.
Given that he leads the line for the 20-time champions, Hojlund has found himself on the end of some intense criticism this term. His price tag, which he, of course, had no say over, has only heaped pressure onto his shoulders with the expectation of him being an instant-impact signing.
Wilson backs Hojlund to succeed
However, Wilson is confident that the 20-year-old will prove his doubters wrong over the coming year.
“Sometimes you get strikers that work hard for the team and give you so much off the ball and on the ball, without scoring the vital goals. I think we have seen Liverpool days when you had Salah, Mane and Firmino,” the England international explained on the Footballer’s Football podcast.
“Firmino as the number nine did so much for the team but he just didn’t score as many as the other two, he might be sacrificing himself because of that. Hojlund is helping Rashford score, like when he got an assist for him [vs Tottenham]. He’s obviously a top player, he’s playing for Man United.
“He got 16 goals in all competitions last year, so I’m sure he’ll come good. He’s still young, you have to give these players time and it is difficult to adjust. I reckon next year he’ll be one to watch out for, for sure.”
