'Cool, calm, collected': Eddie Howe sings praises of Newcastle United player making his return to Germany
Newcastle United have two German internationals in their squad as they prepare to face Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on their home patch in the Champions League.
Nick Woltemade was on the receiving end of a 4-3 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen's ground with VfB Stuttgart last season, but his side had taken a 3-1 lead with Woltemade on the scoresheet and heavily involved in the other two goals.
Clearly, it's a ground he knows well, and Eddie Howe will be hoping to use that to his advantage tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Howe has been highly complimentary of his other player, making a return to his homeland tomorrow.
Eddie Howe has loved how Malick Thiaw has made an impact at Newcastle
Speaking to the media today (via The Chronicle), Eddie Howe spoke about how good Malick Thiaw has been for Newcastle since his arrival from AC Milan in the summer.
"Malick has done incredibly well.
"For a defender you almost want to go unnoticed because you're doing your job. He has been cool, calm and collected, very good with the ball but most importantly very good defensively. Long may that continue."
We have been blown away by Malick Thiaw this season
Thiaw has recently been reinstated to the German national team after a two-year absence, which is a good reflection of just how good he has been for Newcastle.
Watching Thiaw take the ball off Erling Haaland's toe end is going to be a highlight when anyone is discussing how good Thiaw has been this season, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The 24-year-old never looks flustered, even under immense pressure, and has an uncanny ability to perfectly time challenges. We've not seen anyone so good at tacking for Newcastle since Jonathan Woodgate. To echo Eddie Howe's words, long may that continue.
