Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa recently took on the captain’s armband for the club’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Millwall, a decision manager Matthias Jaissle explained was due to Wissa’s emerging leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.
Wissa, who joined Newcastle from Brentford for £55 million last year, had a challenging debut season at St James’ Park. His initial campaign was significantly hampered by a knee injury sustained while on international duty, preventing him from training with his new teammates and leading to just one Premier League goal, as reported by NewcastleWorld.
Wissa’s Resurgence Under Jaissle
The 30-year-old striker credits Matthias Jaissle, whom he hailed as Newcastle’s “best summer signing,” for his revitalised career. Wissa revealed to Sky Sports that his first encounter with Jaissle was marked by the manager comparing him to Ivan Toney, who Jaissle had previously managed at Al-Ahli. “He didn’t even say hello to me! He said, ‘Have we got Ivan?’ So that’s how it starts,” Wissa recounted.
Jaissle has provided Wissa with a significant confidence boost, outlining his role and expecting him to be a team leader and to “run hard.” This season, Wissa has started four of Newcastle’s five matches, contributing a goal and an assist, a marked improvement from last season where he made only eight starts in all competitions, none after February.
Captaincy and Leadership Role
Wissa’s captaincy against Millwall, which Newcastle won 1-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, marked the first time he had worn the armband. This selection came ahead of more experienced players like Fabian Schar and Jacob Murphy, both of whom have previously captained the team, according to the Shields Gazette. The decision was made with regular captain Dan Burn and vice-captain Joelinton out injured, and Malick Thiaw on the bench.
Explaining his choice, Jaissle told The Gazette: “Wiss is, among some other players also a leader, definitely. He showed that from the start, when we joined already in the training camp [in La Manga], that he can communicate a lot, he has positive energy, and he performs also on the pitch at the moment, so that was the reason behind [naming him as captain v Millwall].” Jaissle acknowledged that players experience highs and lows in their careers, suggesting Wissa is currently enjoying an upward trajectory.
Repaying Fan Support and Setting Targets
Wissa expressed his keenness to repay the Newcastle fans for their unwavering support, particularly after his injury struggles last season left him feeling “angry” and “sad.” He stated that he “prepared myself to just run on the pitch to show them how much I’m so happy to be here.” He described playing at St James’ Park as an exciting prospect, calling it “one of the best stadiums in the country.”
While keeping the details private, Wissa confirmed he has a light-hearted bet with Jaissle regarding his performance targets for the season, which he believes will keep him motivated. He also noted his desire to perform well for his family, who also faced a tough time during his injury-hit period.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why was Yoane Wissa named Newcastle United captain for the Millwall match?
- A: Manager Matthias Jaissle explained that Wissa is a leader who communicates well, possesses positive energy, and is performing strongly on the pitch.
- Q: How was Yoane Wissa’s first season at Newcastle United?
- A: His debut season was challenging, marked by a knee injury on international duty that prevented him from training with the team and resulted in just one Premier League goal.
- Q: What has changed for Yoane Wissa this season under Matthias Jaissle?
- A: Wissa has started four of Newcastle’s five matches this season, recording a goal and an assist. He feels confident and is not currently injured.
- Q: What did Matthias Jaissle compare Yoane Wissa to?
- A: Jaissle compared Wissa to Ivan Toney, a player he previously managed at Al-Ahli, during their first meeting.
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