Eddie Howe says he is 'delighted' with 'outstanding' Newcastle United player's contribution so far this season
A lot has been made about the fee Newcastle United paid to bring German international striker Nick Woltemade to the Premier League.
Newcastle had to break their transfer record to bring the 6'6" striker to the club in the summer. Many felt that they overpaid or that they had moved too quickly, given how quickly Woltemade has risen to this level without having had time to show consistency.
Bayern Munich bosses keep making mention of how Newcastle were idiots to pay what they did for the 23-year-old, which to us just sounds like them being bitter at not being able to afford their number one target.
With two goals to his name as part of this misfiring Newcastle side, it's hard to say that Newcastle have made a mistake.
Eddie Howe told reporters today that the market dictated the price Newcastle paid for Nick Woltemade
When speaking to the media today ahead of tomorrow's Champions League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, Eddie Howe dismissed the talk of Newcastle having overpaid, saying that the market dictates the prices. Given how much Newcastle struggled to find a striker all summer, it was inevitable we were going to have to pay over the odds.
Despite the pressure of the huge transfer fee and the fact that he's been thrown into the starting XI faster than expected thanks to Yoane Wissa's injury, Eddie Howe is very pleased with what he's seen so far from Woltemade.
"Great to see him score with his head, he is a big player, that has to be a source of goals for him, two headers so far, two outstanding moments, he’s made a positive start."
Newcastle want to make a goal poacher out of Nick Woltemade
Bizarrely, despite being 6'6", Woltemade isn't known for his headed goals, but more for his ability with the ball at his feet, making him quite a unique striker.
We've had glimpses of his footwork, his calmness on the ball and ability to pick the right pass, which will be useful in the future, but right now we need him to be a fox in the box, and that's what Eddie Howe is working on.
Newcastle desperately need goals, and the team need to find a way to best supply Woltemade with the means to score them.
