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Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha weighs in on Nick Woltemade v Alexander Isak debate.
Newcastle United signed Woltemade for a club-record £69million from Stuttgart in the summer to replace Isak, who went on strike before successfully forcing his £130m British record transfer to Anfield.
Woltemade has gone to score six goals for the Magpies, while Isak has endured a nightmare start to life on Merseyside. The Swede has only scored once, with his personal struggles coinciding with the team’s awful run of form.
The Reds have lost nine of their 12 games in all competitions, with Isak becoming their first new signing since Percy Saul in October 1906 to lose their opening four starts.
The Isak saga made for a bruising summer for Newcastle and that continued into the league season, as they currently sit 14th in the Premier League after the opening 12 matches.
Louis Saha comments on Nick Woltemade v Alexander Isak debate
But in terms of individual players, it has been argued by some that Woltemade is indeed an upgrade on Isak. Former Manchester United striker Saha, however, disagrees, which won’t go down well with Newcastle fans.
Saha, who played 12 games for Newcastle during a loan spell in 1999, told punditarena.com: “No, I don't think that Nick Woltemade is a better striker than Alexander Isak at this moment in time. I don’t think it’s even possible to compare, because Isak has been injured and is struggling for fitness. He’s struggling to adapt to Liverpool’s new style.
“Of course, Nick has done really well. He’s a new signing and Newcastle are also a team who are still on the up, still adapting. He’s done really well to try and elevate their potential and maximise his own. He’s done great, but the comparison doesn’t work for now. They are two very different players.
“Right now, you can say that Woltemade is the man in form, and he’s had a better season so far. But I think it’s still just a matter of time before Isak comes good at Liverpool and starts scoring plenty of goals.”
Eddie Howe delighted with Nick Woltemade’s impact Newcastle United
Speaking previously, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said it was unfair to compare Woltemade to Isak, but recognised the German’s strong start to life at St James’ Park.
Howe said: "I don't think any comparison to Alex is favourable to any player because I wouldn't do that in other positions. Every player is unique in their own right and Nick is certainly that.
“I’ve been delighted with Nick. (It has been) very, very tough for him.
“He’s been thrown in the deep end, with very little training time with us and straight into match days with no training in between either because we had such an intense period of fixtures. But he’s got to grasp with everything quickly and scored some big goals for us.”
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