Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade continues to earn admirers after a sensational start to his Toon career.
Replacing Alexander Isak was no easy task, even with Newcastle United fans ultimately glad to see him go by the end of his Liverpool transfer saga.
Nick Woltemade arrived from Stuttgart with an enormous price tag and huge shoes to fill as Isak moved on just days later.
The German has taken it all in his stride, smashing four goals in his first five Premier League outings.
Woltemade is already a Newcastle favourite, and he is earning more and more praise for his early displays.
Newcastle United FC v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
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Joe Cole on Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade
The first thing you notice about Woltemade is his enormous frame.
It’s difficult to miss the 6ft 6in German, who towers above most players he faces as Newcastle’s leading striker.
Woltemade is far from the typical target man, though, as his ability on the ball has been praised.
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Bruno Guimaraes has backed Woltemade to play in midfield, such is his quality with the ball at his feet.
Pundit Joe Cole has now praised another aspect of Woltemade’s game – his pace.
Cole told TNT Sports that he thinks Woltemade is actually quicker than he looks, and described him as ‘Peter Crouch with pace’.
Cole certainly loves what he has seen from Woltemade so far, and believes his ‘languid style’ is deceptive.
“I think he’s got a bit more of a yard than you think,” said Cole.
“I think he’s got that languid style, I think he would be one of them where you play against him, he’ll be running and you think ‘ooh, he’s quicker than you think’.
“I know he’s a big lad, and at the Under-21s, he absolutely dominated physically, in every game. He was the player of the tournament for me,” he added.
Don’t overlook Nick Woltemade’s involvement in Harvey Barnes goal
A quick look at Newcastle’s win over Benfica will show that Woltemade didn’t score or pick up an assist.
Those two statistics seem to be the only points of interest for many fans these days, but Newcastle supporters will certainly appreciate Woltemade’s display.
The German forward provided a brilliant focal point in attack and he opened up the Benfica defence with just one touch in the build-up to Barnes’ second goal.
A sumptuous flick released Gordon to drive forward and pick out Barnes to score.
We saw Woltemade score a nonchalant goal against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday and this flick was another moment of real quality.
That may not show up as a goal or an assist, but Woltemade’s role in Newcastle’s victory should not be overlooked.