Nick Woltemade’s very presence at Newcastle United is emerging as something of a culture war on Tyneside.
For some, Woltemade is a brilliant player consistently overlooked by Eddie Howe for no good reason. For others, he’s simply not suited to life in the Premier League as a lone Newcastle United number 9.
The truth, as is always the case, is probably somewhere in between. Woltemade has attracted a lot of unfair criticism this season, given he’s a relatively inexperienced player making his way in a new league while playing for a team who just do not function to any great degree.
How would YOU rate Nick Woltemade’s cameo vs Arsenal out of 10?
Still, it would also be wrong to suggest the German has always convinced he’s the right man for the future. The goals dried up before he was moved into a midfield role and his inability to hold onto the ball at times is seriously frustrating.
Debate is raging online about the striker and Luke Edwards has provided an interesting update.
Woltemade is supposedly looking better in Newcastle United training
Edwards was active on X on Sunday night, arguing with supporters after he wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph criticising the performances of Newcastle’s strikers this season.
During those discussions, Edwards shared some insight. On social media platform X, he wrote: “[He stopped playing as a striker] Because he [Woltemade] was ineffective when he was playing as a lone striker in several games especially away from home.
“Word is he’s looking better in training, looked bright and should have had an assist playing behind another striker [Yoane Wissa] on Saturday [vs Arsenal].
Where do YOU stand on the Nick Woltemade debate? 👀
“My opinion is he can’t play as a lone striker at the moment. Doesn’t mean he won’t ever be able to do so. [Alexander] Isak scored 27 goals last season none of the three strikers this season have got close to replicating that. Which is what the article is about. Read the article.”
All of this comes after a fine cameo from Woltemade down at Arsenal on Saturday night, which left Howe impressed and had him suggesting more game time was to come if the forward kept playing like that.
Signs of life from Woltemade in a Newcastle shirt
Oh, Yoane Wissa.
Had the other striker Newcastle United signed last summer had connected properly with Woltemade’s deliciously dinked ball over the Arsenal defence on Saturday night, things would be feeling much more positive now.
Such a pass was further proof that Woltemade is a unique player, one capable of magic moments in tight areas.
That does not definitively mean he is the man to lead the line for Newcastle in the Premier League. It does, however, suggest that there’s something to work with.
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