Nick Woltemade knows exactly why he has started so well at Newcastle United.
When some players arrive at a new club, you just know they are going to hit the ground running. However, it was the opposite with Nick Woltemade.
There was a fear it would take him time to adapt to life at Newcastle United, while he had the added pressure of replacing Alexander Isak and becoming the club’s most expensive signing ever.
But Woltemade has coped with all of his challenges so far, thriving in a black and white shirt and becoming a fan favourite.
It is still a work in progress, but Woltemade’s start to life at St James’ Park has gone better than expected.
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Nick Woltemade pays tribute to Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United teammates
Speaking ahead of facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, Woltemade has been asked about the impressive start to his Newcastle United career.
The 23-year-old has put it down to two factors, with Eddie Howe and the rest of the Newcastle United squad making him feel so welcome on Tyneside.
“I didn’t have so many expectations,” he said via newcastleunited.com.
“I had good talks with the manager and the club and I had a good feeling about it.
“My start has been really well but I think it is because the club welcomed me so good. They talked a lot with me, the players gave me a good feeling and I had a feeling that I felt like I was already longer there.”
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Newcastle United can now see a different side to Nick Woltemade
With seven goals for the Magpies already, Woltemade has exceeded expectations following his £69million arrival from Stuttgart.
What makes his start to life at St James’ Park even more impressive is that he has not had a proper senior striker to share the load with. Anthony Gordon has tried but simply is not a striker, while Will Osula has done his best but lacks the quality required at the top level.
That has forced Woltemade to play more than expected, while he has not had the luxury of playing alongside another forward.
That is about to change, with Yoane Wissa fit again after his knee injury.
While Eddie Howe says Newcastle must be careful with Wissa, there is real excitement at what the 29-year-old and Woltemade can achieve together.
Playing them as a front two could give Newcastle a different dimension, while it will allow Woltemade to play in a way that Toon fans are yet to see.