Nick Woltemade ‘question mark’ emerges ahead of Newcastle debut
Nick Woltemade is set to make his debut for Newcastle United next week but a big question mark has emerged ahead of his first appearance.
Newcastle signed Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club record £69million in order to bolster their depleted striker ranks.
Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer saga had left Eddie Howe’s side without a recognised number nine before they brought in the 23-year-old.
Yoane Wissa also made the move to St James’ Park late on in the window, and will join Woltemade in a new-look Magpies forward line.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the German centre-forward may struggle for Newcastle.
Nick Woltemade cannot replace Alexander Isak
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Woltemade cannot fill the boots of Isak and that there is a big question mark around his ability to perform in the Premier League.
Last season, the German international scored 12 Bundesliga goals in 28 appearances for Stuttgart.
Wyness added that it is a lot of money to pay for someone who is relatively unknown, and doesn’t believe Newcastle can build their team around Woltemade.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, he’s a big lad, a lot of comparisons to Peter Crouch. I don’t know if that’s really the sort of player you’d build your team around.
“I’m afraid there’s a big question mark for this one. Wissa obviously is more of a known entity, but again, very expensive.
“With Woltemade, we’re all waiting to see how he gets on and how he can fit in with Newcastle because they’re going to have to service this particular skill that he’s got. So let’s just wait and see.
“As I say, big question mark and a lot of money. If that’s going to be your replacement for Isak, there’s a question mark.”
Alexander Isak claims are incorrect
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed that Isak categorically did not “down tools” in an attempt to derail Newcastle’s Champions League bid last season.
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards reported via X on 1 September that from April onwards, Isak was “behaving and playing like someone who did not want the team to qualify for the Champions League”.
However, sources say that accusations like these are simply “clutching at straws” in an attempt to discredit the striker’s name further.
In the end, Newcastle reached the Champions League anyway, securing a place among Europe’s elite with a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.
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