Micah Richards and Thierry Henry wowed by ‘skilful’ new Newcastle signing

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Newcastle United might have lost Alexander Isak in the summer transfer window, but Micah Richards believes one of their signings has the potential to shine this season.

The Magpies suffered a serious blow to their attacking options when Isak joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day in a £125million British transfer record deal.

The Sweden international proved himself to be Newcastle United’s main talisman during his time at St. James’ Park, and replacing his goals will be a challenging task this season.

Isak scored 23 times in the Premier League alone during the 2024-25 campaign, having played a crucial role in Newcastle’s success throughout the season.

Micah Richards believes Nick Woltemade is ‘good business’

Newcastle splashed the cash to bolster their attacking options by making a club-record signing when they purchased Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69million.

Spending so much on Woltemade raised a few eyebrows, but Richards explained on The Rest Is Football that he might surprise some people.

“I’m telling you now, Woltemade is a player. I’m not just saying it now, me and Thierry [Henry], he played in the 21s and he played again in a game last season, and we was like, ‘who is this guy?’

“When they said Newcastle had signed him, I was like, ‘this is good business.’ I’m telling you now, he’s got it.

“As long as he can adapt to the Premier League. He’s big, he’s skilful, he can run, and he’s got a decent touch for a big man.

“Of course, the price tag is going to be the one that everybody talks about; it’s a lot of money for somebody so young. But potential-wise, he’s very, very good.”

Woltemade scored 17 goals and provided three assists last season for Stuttgart, and could make his debut for Eddie Howe’s side on September 13 against Wolves.

Nick Woltemade will face competition from Yoane Wissa

Woltemade isn’t the only forward Newcastle brought in this summer, with the club making their own deadline day signing by bringing in Yoane Wissa from Brentford.

After behaving controversially like Isak, the 29-year-old joined the Magpies from Bees, refusing to play or train for the club until the deal was struck.

Unlike Woltemade, Wissa is a proven commodity in the Premier League due to his time playing for Brentford, which means he shouldn’t need any time to adapt to the speed and physicality of the game.

Newcastle have yet to win a game in the Premier League this season, having drawn two games and lost one, leaving them 17th in the table heading into the international break.