It's been a long journey from hoodie-wearing kid on the streets of Coventry to World Cup-bound England striker.
But Callum Wilson is ready to make an impact in Qatar should anything happen to talisman Harry Kane. From non-league loan spells including Kettering to five years building his potential at Coventry, there have been highs and lows.
There was a £3million transfer to link up with Eddie Howe at Bournemouth eight years ago, which included a first promotion to the Premier League in a 20-goal season. But amid the 61 strikes in 171 games on the south coast, there were not one but two cruciate knee ligament injuries in 18 months.
There was a goal for England on his debut in 2018 against United States, one of four caps, and lately he’s been carrying the burden of Newcastle ’s No.9 shirt, brilliantly grabbing six goals in 10 games this season.
Howe has guided Wilson at the Cherries and to new heights on Tyneside, and feels the joy of his call up, saying: “It is an amazing thing for him individually. He has had a difficult career. His is not all about successes. He has risen from lower leagues to the World Cup and it has been brilliant to witness.
How has it happened? Howe added: “Dedication to his work and a positive mindset. He has a way of scoring, and a uniqueness. Single mindedness and an inner confidence has got him here. He believes in himself, not in an arrogant way, not in a negative way. It is all positive.”
Wilson bought a Banksy artwork, Choose Your Weapon, to remind him of the urban kid he was. He wants to feel like the football-loving street lad of the early 2000s. Now, Southgate has chosen him as England's weapon.
Are you pleased to see Callum Wilson in the England squad? Have your say in the comments!
The heat of Qatar and the expectations of a nation will hang heavy on some, but Howe said: “I would back Callum in any situation. If he entered the pitch he would be able to score the goals England need. That’s always been in his DNA, the goal scoring ability. He is going to want to contribute for sure.
"He doesn’t want to go there just in name. He wants to contribute. Gareth must feel he has the ability to do that or he wouldn’t have picked him. He will give everything to do that. He can deliver. He has got everything and is at the peak of his powers.”
Howe knew he had a special player on his hands the moment Wilson arrived in Bournemouth. He explained: “When I watched him play before he signed for us I saw a player with huge potential physically one of the best players I had seen at that time.
"Explosively quick, unique running style, scored some really really good goals. He needed work and refining in certain areas of his game. When we signed him, you get that instant feeling that this guy is special, he has the character, and the confidence to be a centre forward for a big club. He has just gone on and on, scoring goals and doing really well.”
The toughest moments were the injuries, but then the character shone through that Newcastle, and now England, will have in their camp. “When you have a setback or a disappointment every player has them, Callum’s have been his injuries,” said Howe. “Every time he has suffered one, there was no sign of him looking depressed or down or negative emotion, it was just: 'I will deal with this and come back better and score even more goals'. That is his personality and his outlook on life.”
Howe added: “My history with Callum, my length of time with him, I’ve seen the disappointing moments he’s had, I’ve also seen the highs and seen him grow into a Premier League player from a lower League player. I’ve seen him score hat-tricks in the Premier League and shared those moments with him. I know how desperate he was to go to the World Cup, so it was nice to share that moment with him.”
Newcastle also have Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope in Southgate’s squad, the first time since 1998 they’ve had three players with England, and another indicator the club is becoming a powerhouse again. Howe said: “It is great for us and we are proud of our international players. We want to be a place where players excel and thrive.”
