Former Newcastle United captain Rob Lee feels that the Magpies signed Nick Woltemade with no clear plan how to use him
Nick Woltemade and Jacob Ramsey
View Image
Rob Lee has pointed to Newcastle United's £250m spending decision last summer as the reason why the Magpies are sweating on being in Europe next season.
After the sale of Alexander Isak, Newcastle spent £55m on Yoane Wissa and £69m on Nick Woltemade but the legendary former skipper feels that there was an element of panic buying after the Sweden star went to Liverpool. The ex-England star does not believe that the massive spending spree has not improved Eddie Howe's team.
A glance at the Premier League table, with United in 12th place, backs up Lee's theory with the likes of Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey also finding it difficult to adjust to their new club after moves from Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
Lee told the brilliant Adopted Geordies podcast: "The way I look at it, since we won the cup, have the new signings improved the team? Elanga, Woltemade, Wissa, Ramsey. Have they made us a better team? No - so those signings so far are not successful signings.
"The last few games he (Ramsey) has been better but we are in March now and he was £40m so I'd expect him to at least be there now. I expect that because I know he is a bloody good player. Midfield is our strongest department, Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno are one of the best in the Premier League, so it is difficult to get in there, I understand that.
"But Wissa and Woltemade? Have they made us better? No, there is no question they have not made us any better so the signings are questionable and how much we paid for them."
Lee also feels the the £69million signing of Woltemade was hasty, not because he does not feel the German star is a talent, but because he believes Newcastle don't know where to play him.
The 24-year-old hit the ground running but is a very different type of forward to Alexander Isak. Rather than press and run in behind with pace, Woltemade likes to play with his back to goal and link play together.
Woltemade has been utilised in midfield in recent games and while performances have been mixed in an unnatural position, Lee is uncertain what the future holds for the Germany star once the World Cup is over.
Lee added: "I understand we lost our top striker late in the window, but I think we made a panic buy when we bought Woltemade. He is a decent footballer, and he came in and did really well."
Lee operated in various midfield and attacking roles down the years, and after 56 goals in a Toon shirt is more than qualified to comment. The Toon legend said: "Is he a midfielder? Will he play for Germany in midfield at the World Cup?
"The way we (Newcastle) play he is not a centre-forward for us. He is not what we need. The question should be: Why did we buy him? I am not questioning him because he is a talented footballer, or the size of the fee, the £70m we paid. Did somebody see him as a centre-forward?
"We had the same with Joelinton, who has now gone into midfield, but he is powerful, quick and strong. Woltemade is technically very good; he is 6ft 6in, but where do we play him?"
Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1HERE– exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, John Gibson's columns plus an ad-lite experience