Jamie Carragher has been particularly impressed with one player since leaving Newcastle United last year.
Newcastle United has seen a significant turnover of players since the change of ownership, and this is expected to continue as PIF seeks to build a squad capable of competing for Premier League and European titles.
Buying talented players is critical, but moving others on is equally important. Newcastle failed to strengthen their squad in January because they had not sold anyone, and this could be an issue again this summer given the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Player trading is crucial in the modern game, and it is something that Toon officials did very well last year.
Newcastle United did £15m deal last year
Newcastle let two key players leave St James’ Park during the January transfer window of 2023.
Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood both left the Magpies to join Nottingham Forest, but only the latter is still making an impact at the City Ground.
While Shelvey’s move was a disaster, Chris Wood has been a huge success. He moved on loan initially, but the deal quickly became permanent for £15million.
And it has turned out to be £15million well spent, with Wood scoring the volume of goals that Newcastle had hoped he was going to get in black and white.
What Jamie Carragher has said about Chris Wood
The New Zealand international was an important team player at St James’ Park, but the goals did not quite flow.
They have at Forest, however, and Jamie Carragher has hailed the 32-year-old during Sky Sports‘ coverage of Everton 2 Nottingham Forest 0.
“Chris Wood, he has been a revelation since he came here from Newcastle,” he went on to say.
“He found it tough at Newcastle, but he has been fantastic for Forest since he came in.”
Stats back up Chris Wood claim
Wood actually has been terrific at Forest, despite weathering a rough start in garibaldi red. He has got 12 Premier League goals this season, including a hat-trick against Newcastle back in December.
In contrast, Wood only managed five goals during his whole year with the Magpies.
Not only is Wood scoring more goals for Forest, he is also scoring them at a considerably quicker rate. He has one of the top goals-per-minute statistics in the Premier League, barring penalties.
The former Burnley player averages one non-penalty goal per 135 minutes in the Premier League, trailing just Erling Haaland and Diogo Jota.
Newcastle benefitted from Nottingham Forest transfer too
Wood has truly been a revelation in a Forest shirt, but Newcastle will be pleased with their decision to move him.
Getting £15 million for him was an excellent business decision, resulting in only a £10 million loss. When you consider what he gave in black and white, it is clear that money was well spent.
While not prolific at Newcastle, he was extremely dependable. He was a focal point as the Magpies escaped relegation, and his playing style helped those around him prosper.
And, while he has scored plenty of goals since leaving St James’ Park, it was time to let him go.
The move benefited everyone concerned, which is unusual in sport nowadays.
