Back in 2017, Pep Guardiola described Tottenham as the “Harry Kane team”, such was their supposed overreliance on one player. Sadly, that is increasingly becoming true for Newcastle United.
Almost a decade on from a description Guardiola later admitted he was “wrong” about, and it’s Newcastle United who are very much looking like a one-man team.
The Newcastle United squad is theoretically packed with talent in attacking areas. Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy should be providing star man Nick Woltemade with far more service.
The German, however, is having to pretty much go it alone. Newcastle United’s club-record signing is scoring even the half-chances afforded to him but, outside of that, isn’t getting much help from his wingers.
Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring for Newcastle United against Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Newcastle United teammates are letting Nick Woltemade down
Outside of Murphy, none of Newcastle’s wide players have recorded a Premier League goal contribution this season. William Osula’s best showings came against Bradford in the Carabao Cup.
Gordon has netted three times in the Champions League but two of those strikes came from the penalty spot against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. The England international looked bright in that game but has flattered to deceive in the Premier League for what feels like an age now.
Barnes also scored in that game but it was already won. Elanga won one of the penalties in the Belgian capital but has otherwise struggled.
Frankly, what Woltemade is doing is amazing. To have scored five goals in eight games all while adapting to a new league and playing in a team who just are not clicking in an attacking sense is incredible. He’s the only Newcastle forward playing with anything approaching consistency.
Player Goals Assists
Nick Woltemade 5 0
Anthony Gordon 3 0
William Osula 3 1
Jacob Murphy 0 2
Harvey Barnes 1 1
Anthony Elanga 0 1
Stats for Newcastle United attacking players this season (all competitions)
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Newcastle are thrilled with Woltemade’s impact and, in all honesty, he’s proven much better than most onlookers would have predicted.
The club look on to a winner with the striker but the team are yet to make the most of him. His goal tally, as well as the variety of his strikes, is impressive but surely could have been even better if his teammates were stepping up to the plate.
They are still learning to play without Alexander Isak but that’s not an excuse that can last forever.
What Nick Woltemade’s camp think about Newcastle United
Woltemade’s agents believed that Newcastle showed a willingness to get the best out of him and while his strong individual start has been brilliant to watch, it would be fair to say that hasn’t happened yet.
Such have been the struggles of his teammates; he’s having to feed off scraps.
It seems reasonable to expect Howe’s side to click into gear at some point and Yoane Wissa’s imminent return from injury should help matters.
For now, however, Woltemade has looked like Newcastle’s only attacking hope.