Eddie Howe praises 'first-class' Newcastle United star but won't label him a 'success' just yet
Newcastle United appear to have struck gold in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart.
The Magpies left it late to sign their Alexander Isak replacement after suffering many setbacks in their pursuit of a top-class centre-forward.
While Newcastle paid £65 million with a further £4 million to be added if certain criteria are met, it wasn't expected that Nick Woltemade would be the first-choice centre-forward this season.
Yoane Wissa was also signed late in the window, and it was expected that the 29-year-old, with his proven Premier League track record, would lead the line while Woltemade found his feet, but an injury to Wissa put paid to that idea.
Eddie Howe gave a cagey response when asked if Nick Woltemade has been a big success already
Thankfully, Woltemade has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, but even so, Eddie Howe was careful not to over-inflate his ego when asked during his Friday morning press conference (via The Chronicle) if he'd brand Woltemade a big success.
"It's early days and I would prefer to keep my answer saved for a future date because time will tell. But on and off the pitch, he has been first class and his team ethics are brilliant. Some of the interplay on Wednesday he was pivotal to it. We still have to bring out more from his game but the early signs are really positive.
"He has variety and he is not one-dimensional. With his height and technical ability, it can be a surprise for his opponents. His challenge is consistency and long-term success as teams find plans with how to deal with him."
Don't worry, Eddie, we'll say it for you
While Woltemade still needs to get used to how Newcastle plays, the team also need to get used to how to play with him. He's an entirely different prospect to Isak and the team are learning to adapt to that.
Big Nick's goal-scoring numbers are already impressive this season, but when things start to properly click for him and the players around him, he's going to be extremely dangerous.
We're sure that Eddie Howe does view Woltemade as a big success already, but we understand his desire to be guarded. We, however, don't need to be, and we'll say it for him: Nick Woltemade has been an outstandingly successful summer signing for Newcastle United.
