Nick Woltemade responds to Nick Pope’s amusing message after Newcastle heroics
Newcastle United’s first win of the Premier League season against Wolves came courtesy of their new big-money striker.
Eddie Howe‘s side suffered a slow start to the new campaign with two draws and a loss in their first three games during a chaotic transfer window, with the want-away Alexander Isak out of the first-team picture.
Isak’s absence blunted Newcastle up front with Anthony Gordon and William Osula failing to impress as alternative options, but the Magpies have now addressed their striker problems with two huge signings.
Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa arrived at St. James’ Park either side of Isak’s £125million transfer to Liverpool, and the Germany international hit the ground running to announce himself against Wolves.
Nick Pope celebrates his namesake’s goal for Newcastle v Wolves
Woltemade and Wissa’s respective moves from Stuttgart and Brentford cost Newcastle £64m and £55m apiece, with Stefan Borson telling Football Insider that Wissa’s transfer was overpriced by at least £10m.
With Wissa absent following an injury on international duty, Woltemade started up front against Wolves on Saturday and made an instant impact with a towering header which won the game for Newcastle.
Woltemade’s 29th-minute goal wasn’t met with a response from Wolves as Nick Pope kept his third clean sheet of the season, and the Magpies’ number one posted on Instagram to celebrate the victory.
Pope’s amusingly lyrical message said: “Solid at the back, six-foot-six headers in attack! Congrats Nick Woltemade on the first goal and HWTL [howay the lads]”, and the Germany striker responded to say; “thank you NICK”
Yoane Wissa already faces fight for Newcastle starting place
Football Insider Verdict
Woltemade’s huge frame and presence coupled with a stooping header to seal Newcastle’s first win immediately makes him Howe’s starting number nine, particularly with the injured Wissa yet to feature.
Wissa inherited the number nine shirt left behind by Callum Wilson in the summer, and the DR Congo striker could find himself in a similar role to the one Wilson was restricted so – a firm second-choice.
Gordon and Harvey Barnes are unlikely to be displaced on the left wing by Wissa either, putting the onus on the 29-year-old to compete for a place with Woltemade and prove he’s worth that £55m transfer fee.