Nick Woltemade has got Alan Shearer’s seal of approval following his Newcastle United debut against Wolves.
The 23-year-old provided the golden moment on Saturday, as Newcastle United beat Wolves 1-0 to pick up their first win of the season.
Woltemade’s header decided the game, as he enjoyed the perfect start to his Toon career. There was pressure on him to deliver after becoming Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, but it did not faze him.
It was a dream debut for Woltemade, who has received praise from Alan Shearer after hitting the ground running in black and white.
Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring his first Newcastle United goal with Bruno Guimaraes.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alan Shearer loved Nick Woltemade’s link-up play during Newcastle United debut
Speaking on the latest episode of the Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer gave his verdict on Woltemade’s Newcastle United debut.
Shearer loved what he saw from the giant German, admitting that his brilliant start to life on Tyneside was about more than just his debut goal.
“I thought it was a very promising debut,” he said.
“Obviously, the goal is the highlight and it was a brilliant header. The timing of it, the way he got around it and the power. I was really, really impressed with that. But I thought his overall game was good.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“I thought his link-up play was good. He gave Newcastle a threat, which they haven’t had in the first three games.”
Nick Woltemade lifts the pressure ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Next up for Woltemade and Newcastle United is Barcelona in the Champions League.
It is going to be some night inside St James’ Park, and Woltemade will suddenly feel on top of the world heading into that game.
That is the view of Shearer, who believes the Magpies’ new record signing will be looking forward to Thursday’s Champions League encounter even more now.
Shearer added: “You can imagine how he’s feeling. Young boy, 23, coming in to Newcastle for all that money. Pressure on, so you understood how he felt and the relief and everything else.
“So he would have slept well last night. He really would, and be looking forward to the next game, Barcelona on Thursday. What a game.”
With Yoane Wissa injured, it will almost certainly be Woltemade starting for Newcastle against Barcelona on Thursday night.
It is another wonderful opportunity for the summer signing, who had everyone inside St James’ Park singing his name on Saturday.
They will be singing it even louder if he scores against Barcelona, as Eddie Howe gets set to face Hansi Flick’s La Liga champions.
Barcelona will also go into Thursday’s game full of confidence, having beaten Valencia 6-0 on Sunday night.