Yoane Wissa is going to be playing catch up at Newcastle United, as he prepares to compete with Nick Woltemade.
The Magpies bought two strikers during the summer transfer window, as they replaced Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
However, only one of Newcastle United’s new forwards has been able to feature. Nick Woltemade had a perfect debut, scoring the winner against Wolves. In contrast, Yoane Wissa is injured and will not feature until after the next international break.
By then, Woltemade will be even more up to speed with English football. If he performs well enough, it could be difficult for Wissa to force him out of the side.
However, the former Brentford striker has no qualms about competing with the German giant at St James’ Park.
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Yoane Wissa is very ‘happy’ to be Nick Woltemade’s Newcastle United teammate
As part of the pre-match programme for Newcastle’s defeat to Barcelona, Wissa answered questions about his move to Tyneside.
The 29-year-old was asked whether or not he believes Woltemade can bring the best out of him, as they prepare to compete with each other for a place in Eddie Howe’s starting XI.
“I watched a couple of his games at the Under-21 Euros this summer and I spoke to my former teammate, Vitaly Janelt, and said ‘he’s very good, this guy’, which he agreed,” he said.
“I think he’s a good player who is able to play anywhere because he’s very skilful.
“When you come to a big club, there is always competition and we need to be able to push each other and make sure we are in the best position as a team. We want to achieve success as a team.
“It’s not about individual players. I’m happy to have another player joining the club as we have more chance of winning.”
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Eddie Howe has so many ways he can utilise Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade
In Wissa and Woltemade, Newcastle United have two excellent but very different strikers. Wissa is Premier League proven at the age of 29, whereas Newcastle’s most expensive signing is a giant ball of untapped potential at 23.
They are different in style too, which is only going to benefit Eddie Howe.
Woltemade has shown he wants to drop deep, which would allow the Magpies to play him alongside Wissa. They could form quite a deadly partnership, akin to the way Isak and Wilson used to play together at St James’ Park.
Alternatively, Wissa is also versatile. He used to play out wide regularly for Brentford, and could be asked to do the same for Newcastle.
The other option is for Wissa and Woltemade to dovetail. That will be necessary, as the Magpies begin to juggle multiple competitions. They are doing that right now, but are finding it much harder without having Wissa to support Woltemade.
The future of Newcastle’s attack is very exciting, but that future will have to wait as Wissa battles to recover from an untimely knee injury.
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