Alan Shearer issued an exciting prediction on Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United.
Woltemade’s record-breaking start to life at Newcastle United has been fantastic to watch.
Following a painful summer on the striker front, the most expensive signing in Newcastle history has cut through the noise to heal the wounds left by the Alexander Isak saga.
The German international has already scored five goals for the club and was unlucky not to have added to that tally during Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Woltemade hit the post from close range but still displayed some nice touches and would have had an excellent pre-assist if Bruno Guimaraes had scored with his head before tapping in a rebound late on to secure the victory.
Shearer has been impressed with Woltemade and thinks the future is very bright for him at Newcastle.
Nick Woltemade playing for Newcastle Untied against Fulham.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Alan Shearer predicts Nick Woltemade to get even better for Newcastle United
The Newcastle United legend believes Woltemade will only improve the longer he works with Eddie Howe and his coaching team.
Indeed, the idea that a player this good can still take his game to new levels is seriously exciting.
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It should, however, not be all that surprising. Howe has constantly improved various Newcastle players during his time at the club, along with his excellent coaches.
Isak, after all, wasn’t the fully-formed superstar he is now upon his arrival at the club in 2022.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Shearer said: “He’s a handful. With his work rate and with his goals, the Newcastle fans will continue to love him.
“He’s offered something different to the team and he’s only going to get better. You can see, when he first got his first goal, the relief.
“I don’t care who or where you are or what type of player you are. When you get that goal, the belief that you have is something very special. He’s got that and the Newcastle fans, the Newcastle players are enjoying him in the team.”
Nick Woltemade’s next step is obvious after Newcastle United blank
Other than hitting the post, Woltemade didn’t manage to ever really look like scoring for Newcastle on Saturday. As per FotMob data, he didn’t have a shot on target.
Obviously, there is more to his game and the close control he showed when teeing up Anthony Gordon for the cross that Guimaraes somehow headed over speaks to a player of supreme quality.
Newcastle United vs Fulham statistics Nick Woltemade
Minutes played 86
Touches 34
Shots 2
Shots on target 0
Touches in opposition box 4
Chances created 1
However, the next stage in his development has to be finding a way for him to get more shots off. That’s on his teammates to create chances too but Woltemade could certainly do with developing that part of his game.
At times, Newcastle do need a presence in the penalty box. While not a criticism of Woltemade, it still feels like the absolute best is yet to come.
Shearer is right, Howe will improve Woltemade over the coming weeks, months and years.