Ian Wright is optimistic that Nico Gonzalez will be a success at Newcastle United following his arrival from Manchester City this summer.
Gonzalez joined the Magpies in a £52 million deal after struggling to earn regular game time at City. He made an immediate impact for Matthias Jaissle's side in a 2-0 away win over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.
The Spaniard controlled proceedings in the middle of the park as the Tyneside outfit claimed all three points. He put in a performance that has many in the Toon Army excited to see more from him at St James' Park as the season progresses.
Ian Wright Excited by Newcastle Signing Nico Gonzalez
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap's Stick to Football, Wright spoke highly of Gonzalez's showing in North London. The Arsenal legend feels with more first-team opportunities, he'll be able to rediscover the form that earned him a move to City from FC Porto in early 2025:
"Gonzalez, I think that for Newcastle, he's somebody who is going to be playing more regularly... You watch him in that game (vs Tottenham), he just did everything, and you thought, 'Okay, when he plays more games, he's just going to get better.'"
Gonzalez had been tipped to become Rodri's successor at City when he arrived at the Etihad for £50m. He'd caught the eye with standout performances in Liga Portugal but didn't quite manage to win Pep Guardiola over.
The 24-year-old has been handed the chance to get back to his best in a Newcastle team that has undergone huge changes to their squad. He is one of eight new signings, including Belgian winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who arrived from LOSC Lille on deadline day.
Jaissle, like Wright, liked what he saw from Gonzalez in the win over Spurs. He told reporters after the game (via BBC Sport):
"I am happy that you somehow think I am smart. When he has the ball he has a good timing, when to deliver and also when to slow down the game. A really good debut."
Gonzalez will be hoping to make his second appearance for the Magpies when they face Bournemouth at home this Saturday (September 5th). He has quickly settled into life on Tyneside and looks set to become one of the Toon Army's new heroes following Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali's departures.
Nico Gonzalez Reveals Why He Decided to Join Newcastle
Gonzalez's decision to join Newcastle came amid new manager Enzo Maresca rebuilding City's midfield. Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi joined the Cityzens but he had revealed that he was promised more game time.
Speaking earlier this week, the Spaniard said (via Tribuna):
"I talked with them (City) when we started pre-season, around July 20, and they told me that they counted on me, so that’s why I wanted to stay. I thought I would have a good chance of playing there. Obviously, the situation changed; they brought in some players and maybe even more now, according to rumours."
Newcastle weren't the only club interested in signing Gonzalez and he touched on this:
"I had other options. I’m not going to say exactly who I talked to. Other coaches, other Champions League teams also. I think this was the best option."
Gonzalez recalled a conversation with Jaissle that played an important role in his decision to join the Magpies:
“When I talked last week with the coach for the first time before coming here, he made me feel really important and that’s something that any player loves to feel."
Gonzalez made 59 appearances during his short spell at City, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season. He has opted to remain in the Premier League at a club where he'll be handed more prominence.
