Nick Woltemade will be instant hit at Newcastle, excels where Alexander Isak didn’t

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Newcastle United travel to Leeds on Saturday evening, with a transfer for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade offering a major pre-match boost.

Newcastle’s summer-long search for a striker has ended with the arrival of Germany international Woltemade, 23, who netted 17 goals last season for Stuttgart and made his senior debut for his country. Woltemade signed for £68.4m, but won’t feature against Leeds.

Alexander Isak continues to be frozen out at St James’ Park as he chases a move to Liverpool. Newcastle insist he will be welcomed back to the squad if he remains at the club, however supporters have made their feelings clear about Isak’s refusal to train this summer.

During this week’s home game against Liverpool, they raised a banner saying: ‘Nothing is achieved alone’, and negative chants were heard about Isak after the previous draw at Aston Villa.

Nick Woltemade will not be an Alexander Isak replacement, will offer more to Newcastle as a number nine

Isak is undisputedly an elite striker, with 27 goals last season to fire Newcastle into the Champions League, and when it comes to goalscoring he unsurprisingly rates above Woltemade – although not by much.

In the Premier League last season, Isak averaged 3.22 shots per game, with 1.5 on target and an expected goals of 0.66 per game.

In comparison, Woltemade’s Bundesliga stats saw him average 2.72 shots per game, with 1.44 on target and 0.58 xG.

However, Woltemade ranks much higher than Isak for his all-round contributions which will go down well at St James’ Park.

Nick Woltemade should offer more defensive work to Newcastle than Alexander Isak, fans will love him

If Newcastle fans are focussing on team ethic, then Woltemade should become an instant fan favourite. Last season, he won 6.83 duels per game, recovering the ball 2.94 times and winning 1.94 fouls.

Nick Woltemade statistics, 2024/25. (Source: FotMob)

• Games:
• Goals: 12
• Expected goals: 10.36
• Assists: 2
• Total shots: 49
• Total shots on target: 26
• Tackles won: 7
• Duels won: 123
• Aerial duels won: 51
• Recoveries: 53
• Possession won in final third: 11
• Fouls won: 35

Isak, on the other hand, won 3.06 duels per game, with 1.79 recoveries and only won 0.46 fouls. His rate of 0.88 aerial duels won compared to Woltemade’s 2.83 would offer Newcastle far more of a presence in attack when the German completes his move. Isak also averaged fewer total touches (36) than Woltemade (50).

Of course, if Isak stays, then Woltemade’s presence and Isak’s natural striker instincts could create a formidable partnership. However Isak has made it clear he does not want to play for Newcastle.

So if Woltemade is indeed Isak’s replacement, then the player compared to Lionel Messi by fans could be a perfect antidote to healing a difficult summer at St James’ Park.