Alan Shearer says he was ‘really impressed’ with Nick Woltemade on his Premier League debut, after the German international’s goal secured a 1-0 win for Newcastle United over Wolves.
Woltemade, who completed a club-record £69m move from Stuttgart last month, scored the only goal of the game on Saturday afternoon, powering a header past Sam Johnstone after connecting with Jacob Murphy’s cross in the first half.
While Shearer described Woltemade’s finish as ‘brilliant’, the former Newcastle striker added that the German had a ‘very promising debut’ overall, with his link-up play also standing out.
Woltemade registered three shots in total on Saturday, as well as 20 touches, 8/9 accurate passes, won eight of his 11 duels, two free-kicks and made three tackles.
He was replaced by William Osula for the final half hour, with another summer signing, Yoane Wissa, missing the game due to a knee injury sustained on international duty with DR Congo.
Alan Shearer Praises Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade
Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football, was impressed with Woltemade’s first Premier League start for Newcastle, calling it ‘a very promising debut’ for the German international:
“I thought it was a very promising debut. 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 was good. I thought his link-up play was good. He gave Newcastle a threat which they haven't had in the first three games.”
Woltemade is also expected to start for Newcastle in their Champions League opener against Barcelona on Thursday, with Wissa likely to miss the game following his knee injury with DR Congo.
Newcastle welcomed both strikers during the final days of the summer transfer window, with Woltemade arriving as a direct replacement for Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool on deadline day for a British record £125m.
The Magpies spent a total of £250m on new signings this summer, with Antony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw also among notable arrivals.
Both Thiaw and Ramsey did not feature on Saturday, with the England international absent after suffering an ankle injury during the 0-0 draw with Leeds.