Newcastle United’s Premier League season has yet to get going so far this campaign, with positive results often followed up by a disappointing defeat.
Indeed, after getting the better of Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in the middle of September, Eddie Howe’s Magpies then went on a stretch of form that saw defeats happen at the hands of Barcelona and Arsenal in both the Champions League and top-flight, before returning to winning ways in league action against Nottingham Forest at the start of October.
Yet, despite pushing Ange Postecoglou closer to the cliff-edge with that 2-0 victory, the Toon slipped to a third Premier League loss of the season away at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out.
It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, however, with Nick Woltemade sticking out once more as an ice-cold finisher under pressure.
It was his stylish back-heel that nearly kick-started a late comeback on the South Coast, only for Danny Welbeck to secure a brace.
The stats that make Woltemade one of the best in the Premier League
There was an unbelievable pressure on the German’s shoulders when relocating to Newcastle, with £69m splashed out on him to be one of Alexander Isak’s flashy replacements.
He hasn’t been paralysed with any fear since joining, with that delicate finish finding the back of the net against the Seagulls.
That means he has four goals from just five Premier League outings so far, which has led writer Thomas Hammond to hail him as an “incredible” talent to watch.
Despite Newcastle wobbling in form, the 6-foot-6 menace has the highest goal conversion rate (42.9%) in the Premier League so far this season with a hope surely on the Bremen-born striker’s end that the goals keep on coming, but they result in more wins being put on the board, as well.
Possessing an enormous frame, but a delicacy in possession of the ball, Woltemade’s profile is like very few in the game and he’s immediately started demonstrating why PIF spent so much to bring him to Newcastle.
The clinical number 27’s attacking display was definitely a crumb of positivity to take away from the 2-1 loss. Indeed, not everyone in Newcastle’s forward line had the same level of end product.
His teammate up top in Anthony Elanga, on the other hand, was dished out with far more criticism at the final whistle than glowing comments.
The Swede was one of the most creative in the division last season, registering 11 assists in the Premier League but since relocating to the north east, has yet to score in his first 11 outings. He has also registered just one assist.
It’s safe to say Newcastle’s summer business has been rather hit or miss, but Woltemade isn’t the only success story from their latest round of recruitment.
Newcastle “monster” is another Woltemade-type player
Away from Elanga failing to settle on Tyneside, other more senior members of the Magpies team are continually letting Howe down so far this season.
Joelinton springs to mind as one example, with the Newcastle boss not fazed whatsoever when hooking the Brazilian off at half-time after another sub-par display was put in against Fabian Hurzeler’s men.
Moreover, Dan Burn struggled again in the left-back spot versus the Seagulls, squandering possession 18 times in total, alongside surprisingly winning just one aerial duel.
While Burn and Joelinton look to be on their way out as members of the St James’ Park old guard, Malick Thiaw looks ready to become a starter for many years to come at his new employers, as another Bundesliga gem has been unearthed.
Thiaw has been so impressive so far that even Fabian Schar has had to sit out contests recently for the Magpies’ “monster” – as he has been previously labelled by journalist Martino Puccio – to gain a starting spot.
Woltemade has made that lone striker spot his own, but Thiaw – also signed from German shores – has made that central defensive berth his own too. Now, the pairing are two of the first names on Howe’s team sheet.
Thiaw’s Premier League numbers |
|
---|---|
Stat (* = per game) |
Thiaw |
Games played |
5 |
Goals scored |
0 |
Assists |
0 |
Touches* |
43.6 |
Accurate passes* |
28.8 (87%) |
Ball recoveries* |
3.6 |
Clearances* |
4.2 |
Total duels won* |
4.4 |
Clean sheets |
1 |
Stats by Sofascore |
Much like his colossal teammate, Thiaw has stood out as a battler already for Howe and Co, winning four aerial duels against the Seagulls, perhaps ensuring that the scoreline only stayed at 2-1 in the home side’s favour.
But, also, as Woltemade has displayed, the rock-solid number 12 is very much comfortable with the ball at his feet, with his well-rounded nature from the get-go, even seeing Newcastle-based blog Mouth of the Tyne state that he is “one of the signings of the summer.”
At just 24 years of age, and at a modest £30m cost, it’s hard to go against that statement, with both Thiaw and Woltemade surely looking to cement their presences as reliable first-teamers in matches to come.