Newcastle United player Nick Woltemade in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Bournemouth at St James' Park on April 18, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United player Nick Woltemade in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Bournemouth at St James' Park on April 18, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe waited until the 86th minute to bring on his £64m summer signing v Bournemouth.
The German was again named on the bench and, like the defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend, wasn’t introduced until 80+ minutes.
Earlier in the second-half, sections of the St James’ Park crowd could be heard chanting for Woltemade to come on, and Howe was considering granting their wish.
Eddie Howe changes Nick Woltemade decision
However, the head coach changed his mind when Will Osula equalised in the 68th minute. It wasn’t until the 86th minute, less than a minute after Bournemouth had re-taken the lead, that Woltemade entered the pitch.
Asked about the 24-year-old’s late introduction, Howe explained: “Yeah, of course he could have done [come on earlier]. I was potentially going to bring him on just before we scored.
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“The goal made me change my decision, and that's often the way a scorer can, to a degree, and who scores, change your decision-making in that moment.
“I thought he did okay when he came on. Of course, I want him on as much as anybody else, but I've always got to do what I think is right for the team in that moment.”
Eddie Howe: ‘I can’t play everybody’
Woltemade hasn’t started as Newcastle’s central striker since the beginning of February, with Howe experimenting with him in midfield.
There has been a clamour from the terraces to see Germany’s No.9 return to his recognised position but in the last two matches, Howe has opted for Will Osula instead.
Howe continued: “Yeah, well, of course, we try and make every player work, regardless of the name or the individual. I want every player to feel part of what we're doing and feel that they've got an opportunity to play.
“There is a big demand on Nick when he comes onto the pitch that he has to perform. I thought he did okay today.
“But yeah, I can only pick, with the system that I play currently, one striker, and that at the moment is Will, and I thought he's justified that in the two games. So I can't play everybody as much as I'd like to.”
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