Dwight Gayle had some bad moments this season, but he did score some important goals down the stretch for Newcastle United.
After starring on loan with West Brom in 2018/19, Dwight Gayle was back with Newcastle United for this season. He battled injuries, crucial misses, and being stuck behind the other strikers on the depth chart. But, he came up big down the stretch for the Magpies this season.
2019/20 EPL stats: 20 appearances, four goals, two assists, five big chances missed
Expert Breakdown
Durim Halimi: Dwight Gayle wasted some golden opportunities prior to Project Restart, but he woke up when Newcastle United needed him the most. With four goals to his name in a short amount of time, Gayle certainly passed his audition to stay on Tyneside next season.
Unlike Joelinton, Gayle immediately experienced a resurgence under the new 4-2-3-1 shape. One could argue that had the Magpies played this way all season, Gayle could have scored at least ten goals.
Newcastle United are searching for new strikers this summer, but Gayle will still have a meaningful role, especially if he picks up where he left off last term.
Carson A. Merk: It’s crazy to think that Dwight Gayle was Newcastle United’s best striker this season, but it’s hard to argue that he wasn’t. Honestly, that says a lot more about the club’s struggles at striker than it does about the performance from Gayle.
As we know, the profile on Gayle is always that he’s a star scorer in the Championship but can’t match that production in the top flight. This season doesn’t really dispute that as he only finished with four goals in the Premier League, but it was nice to see some life from the 29-year-old.
Now, Gayle enters the final year of his deal with Newcastle United. Will the club flip him while they can to a club in the second division where he holds the most value or will he get another chance to fight for his time with Steve Bruce’s side?
A lot of that will depend on how the club’s search goes for another striker. If they can’t bring anyone in, I’d doubt that Gayle leaves. But, if they bring in a quality option up top, the club would be wise to sell him now while they can.