Alan Shearer already proven wrong by Newcastle star Nick Woltemade after ‘risk’ claim
Nick Woltemade continued his stunning run of form during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.
The German’s header past Antonin Kinsky helped secure Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Spurs and their passage into the quarter finals against Fulham.
Woltemade, who has signed from Stuttgart to replace Alexander Isak in the summer, now has six goals in 11 appearances for the Magpies.
The 23-year-old has taken to English football like a duck to water, and Football Insider understands that Bayern Munich are tracking Woltemade as a long-term replacement for Harry Kane.
Meanwhile, after his incredible start to life at St James’ Park, the German international is already proving some pundits wrong.
Alan Shearer said Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade was a ‘risk’
At the start of October, Woltemade equalled Alan Shearer’s Newcastle record by scoring in his first three Premier League home matches for the club.
Shearer praised Woltemade for his header against Wolves on September 13, but before then, the Toon legend had his reservations over the signing.
Newcastle paid £69million for the towering striker, and speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, the Premier League’s record goalscorer said his arrival came with a ‘risk’.
“Woltemade, I think, can be a really clever signing,” Shearer said at the start of September. “But it also comes with a risk because, ultimately, he’s probably had seven or eight months of good football.
“He’s not scored a lot of goals, not got great experience…. but it could turn out to be a really clever signing.“
He also claimed it was a ‘big ask’ for Woltemade to lead the line at Newcastle, something the striker has done with relative ease.
“Bayern Munich were after him, top scorer in the Euros for the U21’s,” Shearer added.
“Potential, absolutely, but it’s a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle’s ‘number 9’ (or number 27 for that matter!) for the next season or two. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but it’s a big ask.”
Sandro Tonali praises Woltemade’s defensive work
Woltemade has impressed in almost every facet of his forward play, most notably his ability to win aerial duels, bully defenders and ruthlessly dispatch chances.
But teammate Sandro Tonali picked out Woltemade’s defensive work as one of his key strengths after the win over Tottenham.
“I think he’s so good,” Tonali said. “For him it’s a little bit easy to play, to score a lot of goals. He’s a very good player.
“He runs for all the 90 minutes every time. He plays with us, the midfield, the defence. He’s the first defender and the first striker.
“It’s a pleasure to play with a striker like Nick, and I’m happy for him, I’m happy for the team.”
Woltemade is becoming a player that Toon fans adore, and he arguably suits them better than Isak did.