Error code: %{errorCode}
Nick Woltemade, the giant German striker quietly taking English football by storm
Much has been made of the incredible goalscoring exploits of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane this season, and rightly so.
But Nick Woltemade’s early impact at Newcastle United deserves recognition as Eddie Howe’s men prepare to host Athletic Club in the Champions League tonight.
Here, DAZN News looks at the Germany striker’s impressive early impact since joining Newcastle in a club-record £69million transfer.
Background
A storm raged on Tyneside for much of the summer as Alexander Isak attempted to force through a move to Liverpool.
It was clear for some time – perhaps even since the end of last season – that all was not well behind the scenes with the Sweden striker at Newcastle.
The Magpies appeared determined to keep him amid Liverpool's interest, but began to explore other options should he be sold.
One of those was Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Hugo Ekitike who, ironically, was signed by Liverpool.
Newcastle were also linked with Wolves striker Johan Strand Larsen but ended up signing Woltemade from Stuttgart on a six-year contract.
The 6ft 6in Germany international, 23, joined in a club-record deal worth up to £69million.
Yoane Wissa also arrived from Brentford for £55million, while Isak eventually moved to Liverpool in a British-record £125 million deal on transfer deadline day.
But Wissa has yet to make his debut as he recovers from a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury, leaving Woltemade to lead the line.
- Read next | Premier League weekend wrap-up: Liverpool get much-needed victory, another manager sacked
Dream debut
Woltemade began the season in Stuttgart and scored in his final appearance for them on August 26 before finding the net in his first game for Newcastle.
The giant striker netted with a bullet header to secure a 1-0 home win over Wolves in the Premier League.
That immediately endeared him to the Geordie nation and Howe was gushing afterwards.
The Toon boss said: “Nick’s very intelligent, very, very humble and a very good communicator.
“He understood everything we wanted him to do tactically.
“It was great to see him scoring, he took his goal brilliantly; it was a very strong debut.”
Getty Images
Adapting to English football
After his bow against Wolves, Woltemade was surprisingly dropped to the bench for Newcastle’s next game – a 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.
The wisdom of that decision by Howe was questioned but Woltemade then drew a blank in his next two games.
That raised a debate about how best to fit Woltemade into a Newcastle side still coming to terms with the loss of Isak.
Woltemade responded by scoring in the next five games straight for club and country.
Despite his towering height, and outstanding aerial ability, Woltemade also possesses impressive technical skills; not dissimilar to former England striker Peter Crouch.
The German’s work-rate, desire and eye for goal have quickly made him a firm favourite with Newcastle supporters.
He goes into tonight’s game against Athletic Club having scored in six of his last nine appearances for Newcastle and Germany.
At this level, that takes some doing but is indicative of Woltemade’s burgeoning talent.
Getty Images
How prolific will he prove to be?
Nobody seems quite sure how good Woltemade could be in English football, but the early signs are hugely encouraging.
At his current scoring rate, the 23-year-old appears on course to hit the 20-goal mark for the season and he would appear to still be some way off reaching his true potential.
Tonight he will look to claim his second Champions League goal of the season... and maybe even his third or fourth.
Athletic Club of Bilbao, beware.
How to watch the Champions League on DAZN
-
Canada: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription
-
U.S.: Watch three exclusive Champions League games every match week, in Spanish language, with a DAZN subscription
-
New Zealand: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription
