Chelsea reportedly looked at Nick Woltemade before his move to Newcastle United, and it looks like the big forward is still of interest to them.
Despite signing Joao Pedro and Liam Delap last year, the Blues are still being linked with strikers.
Woltemade has been playing as an attacking midfielder of late at Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, but the 24-year-old can also start up front.
This is so harsh on Delap! 😭
TalkingPoints user on Liam Delap
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Chelsea prepared to offer Nick Woltemade striker role
Newcastle are thought to be interested in Delap, which could give Chelsea an opportunity to sign Woltemade, it seems.
Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the Club World Cup winners will ask about Woltemade’s availability if his current employers make an approach for Delap.
According to Phillips, Chelsea are also willing to promise the German that he can play up top.
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United (27) and Reece James of Chelsea FC (24) tussle
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Pedro will definitely be staying at Stamford Bridge after his goalscoring exploits this season, while Emanuel Emegha is arriving in the summer, so there could be some serious competition in the centre-forward position if Woltemade does join.
Chelsea have seen what the Germany international can do first-hand after conceding two goals against him earlier in the season.
Nick Woltemade’s Premier League stats this season
Woltemade started the campaign very strongly. In his first five Premier League games, he scored four goals.
However, since then, the former Stuttgart man has netted on just three more occasions in the English top flight, including his brace against Chelsea.
What are your thoughts on Nick Woltemade potentially replacing Liam Delap?
Nick Woltemade's stats
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Woltemade has not quite justified his £69m transfer fee yet, but he is still a very good forward overall.
The Newcastle star can do a lot in attack. He can hold the ball, win headers and finish. For someone who is so big, Woltemade is also quite technical.
If Chelsea do want to sign another forward in the summer and Woltemade is available, it is definitely something worth exploring. Any move looks like it will hinge on what happens with Delap, though.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox