Yoane Wissa: I am a different player now - £55m signing reveals Newcastle truth
After a 2025/26 season to forget at St James’ Park, Yoane Wissa has looked like a man transformed in the early weeks of the new campaign.
His first year on Tyneside was the perfect storm. Impacted by a lack of pre-season at Brentford as he pushed to leave, an early knee injury so soon after his £55m move, and a struggle to find his best form from that point under Eddie Howe.
This time around, it feels so different. The 30-year-old has not only had a full summer to get fit, but looks like a man reborn under Matthias Jaissle, who he recently hailed as the club’s "best summer signing."
Speaking in a sit down interview with BeIN Sports' Andy Kerr, the DR Congo star opened up about his recent transformation, revealing how fitness has played such a huge role.
Wissa opens up on fitness battle
Yoane Wissa believes people are only seeing the "real Wissa" now that he's finally fully fit, insisting he's been "two different players" over the past 12 months.
Our No.9 admits he pushed himself to come back from injury "too early" last season, which may explain his total lack of zip, running or sharpness.
"I'm just fit. That is the difference. Between playing injured and playing fit, it is two different players.
"That is why I am a bit sad, because you didn't see the real Wissa. But the past is the past. Now I am in the best place, and I'm happy.
"I didn't catch the train last season for various reasons. I came back too early (from injury). From my point of view, I came back too early.
"I signed and I was so excited to play. But I was quite lucky, because the club always told me they still wanted me, so I had the chance to commit to the club and the manager."
A striker transformed
The term 'like a new signing' can be a tedious cliche in football, but it's never been more accurate in Wissa's case.
Just months after some wanted rid for a massive loss, he now looks quicker, sharper, more involved and full of running, dropping between leading the line and coming short as a second striker.
Last term, he didn't show anything like that burst of pace or involvement in games. His movement was slow, he seemed incapable of pressing, rarely posed a threat and managed just one goal and an assist in 19 league outings.
The striker has already managed a goal and an assist this term, matching last season's Premier League output in just three outings.
With Will Osula injured and Nick Woltemade out on loan, let's hope he can keep that up and form a formidable partnership with £51m new boy Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
