Newcastle United are preparing for a crucial Champions League showdown against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, but the Spanish club may be without their star winger, Nico Williams.
The 23-year-old has been struggling with a painful injury that could see him miss one of the biggest fixtures of Bilbao’s season. This news comes as a major concern for manager Ernesto Valverde, who knows how important Williams is to his team’s attacking power and overall rhythm.
Williams is no stranger to English fans. His performance at Euro 2024 made him a household name across Europe after he scored the opening goal in the final against England, helping Spain lift the trophy.
Alongside Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, Williams was part of one of the most feared attacking duos in international football, dazzling with their speed, flair, and creativity.
Ironically, an injury similar to the one that sidelined Yamal earlier this year now threatens to keep Williams out of Bilbao’s upcoming trip to St James’ Park.
According to reports from Spain, the winger has been “living in pain” due to a persistent pubalgia problem a condition affecting the pelvic area. Marca revealed that the Spanish international has been struggling with this issue for weeks, limiting his involvement in matches.
He was named on the bench during Bilbao’s recent Basque derby but never looked fully fit. So far this season, Williams has played just over 500 minutes across all competitions and has managed to complete a full 90-minute game only once.
There are growing fears that he may need surgery to solve the issue, which could rule him out for up to three months.
That would be a huge blow for both Bilbao and Spain, given his importance at both club and international levels. Speaking about his decision to bench Williams at the weekend, Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde explained his cautious approach.
“He’s been carrying a slight knock,” Valverde admitted. “Watching the game, it might have been too much to start him. We’ll see how the match goes and if he’s able to play.”
Bilbao’s Champions League campaign has been a challenging one so far. With one win and two losses from their opening three matches, Valverde’s side are battling to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
The manager has acknowledged how difficult it is for a team like Athletic Bilbao to compete against Europe’s top clubs. “Teams are stronger in the Champions League,” he said.
“In the Europa League, we had a better chance of advancing. Last season, the results went our way, but this year it’s more complicated with stronger opponents.”
For Newcastle United, Williams’ potential absence could make a big difference. His speed, technical ability, and intelligence on the ball make him a constant threat, and without him, Bilbao may lose much of their attacking sharpness.
However, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has previously made it clear that he prefers facing top players, as it brings out the best in his team. Reflecting on a similar situation when Yamal missed Barcelona’s trip to Tyneside, Howe said, “Whenever I get asked about these types of questions, I think my answer is always the same. You want to play the best teams, you want to play against the best players, you want to challenge yourselves as much as you can.”
That mindset sums up Howe’s approach to Newcastle’s European adventure. Facing the best has always been part of the club’s revival under his leadership, and his players are unlikely to underestimate Athletic Bilbao regardless of who starts.
Still, Williams’ likely absence could give the Magpies a psychological boost ahead of the contest.
As the match draws closer, all eyes will be on Valverde’s final squad list. Whether Williams is fit enough to feature or not could significantly influence the balance of the game.
For Newcastle, it’s another test on the grand European stage a chance to prove their progress under Howe against a side known for its intensity, passion, and technical class.
For Bilbao, it’s a battle for survival in a tough group, one they must fight through even if their star winger is forced to watch from the sidelines.
