Not much has gone wrong for Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old was under a huge amount of pressure when he arrived. Not only did he become Newcastle United’s most expensive signing ever at £69million, but he also had the task of filling Alexander Isak’s boots.
Combine those factors with his less than stellar goalscoring record and it was unclear how well Nick Woltemade would do in black and white.
Alas, Woltemade has been outstanding. He has scored seven goals for his new club, some of which have been out of this world. The penalty against Nottingham Forest. The flick against Brighton. The lob against Everton. Simply ridiculous.
The giant German has coped with the pressure of being the Magpies’ main striker all season, but now he is going to be under a different kind of pressure.
- Who is Nick Woltemade? The ‘two-metre Messi-Musiala’ Newcastle United broke transfer record to sign
If you bumped into Eddie Howe on the street right now, what changes would you tell him to make vs Burnley?!
Yoane Wissa update raises the stakes for Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United
After leading the line on his own, Woltemade suddenly has competition.
Ahead of Newcastle United vs Burnley on Saturday, Eddie Howe provided an update on Yoane Wissa’s fitness as he aims to make his Toon debut after a knee injury.
The 29-year-old has seriously stepped up his recovery, and there is a chance he could be involved against the Clarets.
On Wissa, Howe told Newcastle United’s official X account: “We’re getting closer. We did an 11v11 game, sort of for him, on Wednesday which was good and more minutes for him. Round about half an hour – he did well.
“So far he’s come through everything. We still have training today and we’ll make a decision as to whether he’s ready to not just be fit but fit to make a difference and fit to perform to his high standards.”
- Who is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle United’s £55m Alexander Isak replacement
Based on Howe’s comments, do you reckon we’ll see Wissa make his Toon debut vs Burnley?
While Woltemade will relish having someone to share the load with, it also puts him under a bit of pressure.
Suddenly, Woltemade has to perform at a consistently high level to keep his place in the starting XI ahead of Wissa. Eddie Howe will be keen to utilise his new number nine given his goalscoring expertise, and that threat could actually propel the club record signing to new heights.
This new competition changes things for Woltemade, but it could make him even better.
Nick Woltemade’s role at Newcastle United could change
The return of Wissa could also see Woltemade’s role in the Newcastle United team change.
Woltemade has spoken about playing alongside Wissa, admitting he thinks they could form quite a dangerous partnership.
Toon fans will be keen for Howe to put that theory to the test, as Woltemade’s early performances have suggested he would thrive alongside another centre-forward.
Wissa can be that centre-forward, and it might not be much longer before they are deployed together.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!