Newcastle United supporters made their feelings plain at Elland Road on Saturday. As Alexander Isak’s absence dragged into a third league game, the away end turned on their record signing with chants of: “We don’t care about Isak, he don’t care about me, all we care about is NUFC.”
The Sweden international has made no secret of his wish to join Liverpool before Monday’s transfer deadline, and Newcastle’s fanbase has grown restless. Meanwhile, a new hero is waiting in the wings. Nick Woltemade, the £69m arrival from Stuttgart, was mobbed by supporters outside the ground despite being unable to play, with his paperwork not completed in time.
The 23-year-old forward, who describes himself as an “entertainer,” has been brought in to revive Newcastle’s faltering attack. The Magpies have scored only twice in their opening three games, picking up two points from nine. Manager Eddie Howe admitted his new striker’s qualities could have helped immediately.
“I like his different dimensions,” Howe said. “He’s a big presence, but also technically skilled and creative around the box. He’ll need time to adapt, but I believe he’ll score goals and be a fantastic addition.”
Woltemade’s signing represents Newcastle’s largest ever outlay, surpassing the fee paid for Isak three years ago. Like Isak, he arrives as the club’s record buy, at a similar age, and in the final days of the summer window. Unlike Isak, he has never played outside Germany and will face a steep learning curve in English football.
Yet those who know him well insist Newcastle have bought more than just a target man. Standing at 6ft 6in, Woltemade has earned comparisons to both traditional centre-forwards and flair players. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer even nicknamed him “Woltemessi” for his surprising dribbling ability.
Antonio di Salvo, who managed Germany’s Under-21s to the European Championship final this summer, hailed Woltemade’s versatility after he scored six goals to win the Golden Boot. “He is technically skilled despite his size, capable of playing as a striker or a number 10. He is creative, unpredictable, and a constant threat,” Di Salvo said.
Woltemade’s rise has not been straightforward. Just two years ago he was on loan at third-division side SV Elversberg. Last season, however, he hit 17 goals in 33 appearances for Stuttgart, including the opener in the German Cup final, as he lifted his first major trophy. That form earned bids from Bayern Munich, before Newcastle stepped in with a record package worth £65m plus add-ons.
Marco Grote, who coached him at Werder Bremen’s under-19s, has long believed Woltemade could become “a special player.” He also stressed his mentality. “He wants to learn, he works hard, and he is ambitious. The fee is not his responsibility. With patience, he can make the difference,” Grote said.
Off the pitch, Woltemade has been described as a family man, bringing his parents with him to Tyneside and choosing the number 27 shirt as a nod to his mother’s birthday. Character checks were as important to Howe as footballing ability, with Newcastle determined not to disrupt the harmony of their dressing room.
“He was the glue that held our team together,” said Di Salvo. “He brought groups together with his down-to-earth, humorous character. He was like a magnet.”
For now, Newcastle fans will have to wait until after the international break to see their new forward in action, with his debut likely to come against Wolves. A Champions League clash with Barcelona follows soon after – a huge test, but also a chance for Woltemade to announce himself.
With Isak’s future uncertain and goals in short supply, the stage is set for Newcastle’s “entertainer” to take centre stage.
