Teddy Sheringham has warned Newcastle to look after Nick Woltemade after last season's learning curve in the Premier League for both the player and Eddie Howe
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United
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Teddy Sheringham has urged Newcastle United to appreciate Nick Woltemade as he looks to build on an up and down season - and disappointing World Cup.
The Germany international went from being played out of position at Newcastle and losing his place in the middle of the season, to getting a handful of minutes in the US, culminating with a penalty miss against by Paraguay in a shoot-out in Boston.
After 11 goals in his first season, Sheringham feels that Woltemade should get better and better, but does not see him as just a goalscorer.
Sheringham said: "Nick Woltemade’s not just a goalscorer, is he? He's a provider as well, and he's got good awareness of the other footballers around. He’s similar to Wayne Rooney.
"When you play in lots of different positions, it’s not always good for you, and Newcastle fans want to see Woltemade scoring goals. That's all that matters when you’re a striker, ultimately."
Woltemade was half of a £124m strike partnership at Newcastle last season with Yoane Wissa, who did impress at the World Cup with three goals for DR Congo.
Sheringham hopes that can be transferred into the 2026/27 season and speaking on the pair, he said: "They both need to hit the ground running in the new season because there are so many teams from second to ninth competing that I think it’s going to be a fascinating season. Everyone is going to be beating everyone else at different times.
"I think it’s only Arsenal who have got that organised structure and the stability you need so I make them favourites. Everybody else will be jockeying for position behind them, the way I see it, so Newcastle need their strikers going into the new season looking and feeling sharp."
Sheringham knows all about golden partnerships and demonstrated that at Euro 96 with Alan Shearer. Back then he managed to keep the likes of Les Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Chris Sutton and Ian Wright out of contention.
The former lethal marksman said: "I think you have to put the work in but sometimes you just know. You get a blend with certain players and form an understanding to know exactly where players want you to pass it or when you want that pass from them, and you work off each other to find a balance. It’s a vibe, really.
"Alan Shearer and I did have a good understanding but I'm sure Les Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler would have liked to have had that understanding with Alan too for England. I was just the lucky one who Terry Venables wanted to play in that position and I loved doing it.
"Alan was obviously the top man at the time and it was all about who was going to play alongside him and lucky for me, it was me."
Sheringham was speaking on behalf of ComeOn.
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