At just 16, Chris Wood embarked on a journey that would take him from the football fields of New Zealand to the prestigious grounds of the English Premier League. His ambition led him to England, where he first showcased his talent in 2009 with West Bromwich Albion at the age of 19. Fast forward to today, and Wood stands among the elite strikers in the Premier League, a testament to his dedication and growth in the sport.
Wood's early years in England saw him loaned out to six different clubs between 2009 and 2011. These stints at Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol City, Millwall, and Leicester were crucial in shaping his career. Particularly notable was his time at Leicester City, where he found the back of the net 27 times in 44 appearances in the Championship, laying down a marker for his goal-scoring prowess.
In 2015, Wood joined Leeds United, spending two seasons honing his skills before making a significant move to Burnley in 2017. Burnley acquired him for approximately £15 million, making him the club's record signing at the time. Wood quickly justified the investment by scoring over ten goals in each of his first four seasons. His partnership with Ashley Barnes proved to be formidable, contributing significantly to Burnley's ability to maintain their Premier League status for five consecutive seasons.
"Nuno gave me the confidence to be his number nine and start, and then we started to play a bit more positively with more attacking creativity," – Chris Wood
"Whereas at the start of the season, we were maybe a bit more defensive – I think the game Nuno brought in really suits the way I play." – Chris Wood
In January 2023, Wood made another pivotal move to Nottingham Forest after spending two seasons with Newcastle United. His arrival at Nottingham further solidified his reputation as one of the league's most lethal strikers. Wood's influence extends beyond club football; he is New Zealand’s record goal scorer and captain and is close to breaking the record for appearances made for his country.
"When they talk about Mo Salah and Erling Haaland – they mention Chris Wood in the same breath – you can't compete with that." – Mike Groom
Wood’s impact on New Zealand football is profound. His former high school coach, Mike Groom, remarked on how he has single-handedly changed perceptions of football in the country.
"It's theatrical, it's magical, it's the stuff of dreams and kids' dreams are fuelled by those images and that exposure." – Mike Groom
A key influence in Wood’s career has been his former manager, James Beattie. Under Beattie's guidance, Wood learned invaluable lessons about mental strength and on-field contributions.
"Beattie had a big influence on my career." – Chris Wood
"There were times when the fans were probably on my back at the start of the season but James really helped me on and off the pitch, to work on my mental strength and to know you can get through anything." – Chris Wood
Beattie himself recalls how Wood adapted to playing as a single striker, learning to become a focal point for his team’s attacking play.
"He was actually playing the role of a single striker, a focal point for the team." – James Beattie
"He was getting frustrated because he wasn't seeing the ball as much as he wanted to and he thought he wasn't contributing – but he was quite a lot." – James Beattie
Wood's willingness to listen and trust his coaches played a crucial role in his development. Beattie noted that Wood eventually mastered the art of timing and positioning, which significantly enhanced his performance.
"If you drop into midfield and clog everything up then the patterns won't come and you won't be able to finish off the chances – it took a little bit of time but he was there in the end and his willingness to listen and trust me." – James Beattie
The striker's career is also marked by strategic partnerships on the field. At Burnley, alongside Ashley Barnes, he executed well-planned movements that left defenders struggling to cope.
"We were just doing the opposite movements all the time and it was just killing these defenders – we could both hold the ball up and both run in behind." – James Beattie
"It was just a mix and match of movements and that is why we succeeded so much." – James Beattie
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