Wayne Rooney is not really sure where he stands on Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to life as Newcastle United’s most expensive signing, although questions over his suitability have started to emerge.
In terms of scoring goals, Nick Woltemade has done better than anticipated. He has netted six very unique goals across three different competitions, despite arriving as a not-so-prolific striker.
Away from finding the back of the net, Woltemade is forcing Newcastle United to change their style of play. They no longer have a rapid striker who can run in behind. Instead, Woltemade wants the ball into feet so he can bring others into the game.
He has the potential to take Newcastle United to an even greater level, but only if the other players get on his wavelength.
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Wayne Rooney just is not sure about Nick Woltemade
That has not been the case as of late, with Woltemade struggling to impact games like he was in the first few weeks of his Toon career.
It is difficult to see where Newcastle are going with Woltemade up front, and that has been summed up by Wayne Rooney’s reaction to his start at St James’ Park.
On the latest episode of the Overlap Fan Debate, Jamie Carragher asked Rooney to give his verdict on Woltemade.
“I’m not too sure, to be honest,” he said after a brief pause.
Rooney’s uncertainty speaks volumes. While Woltemade has scored some outstanding goals and shown real promise, his teammates do not appear to be on the same page.
Newcastle need to get Woltemade more involved in the game. They need to get more runners beyond him. Right now, they do not appear to be playing to his strengths.
That could change when Yoane Wissa is fit, as there is an appreciation that Woltemade would benefit from a striker partner.
Wayne Rooney loves Hugo Ekitike after joining Liverpool over Newcastle United
Regardless, Woltemade’s arrival has brought a dramatic shift to Newcastle United’s style of play.
It is a shift that would not have come about had they signed Hugo Ekitike before Liverpool got him.
There was a big push to sign the Frenchman in the summer, with Newcastle prepared to make Ekitike their most expensive signing ever.
Ultimately, Liverpool swooped in and snatched the forward away from the Magpies. And amid their sluggish start to the season, Ekitike has been a real hit on Merseyside.
He has certainly caught Rooney’s eye, with the former England captain giving a much more glowing review of Ekitike’s first few months in the Premier League compared to Woltemade.
On Ekitike, he said: “Brilliant. I love watching him play.”
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