Newcastle fans falling for Nick Woltemade and the rise of the club’s new ‘Big Nick Energy’
These days, playing football makes you cynical, and it’s all too easy to be negative. It’s not healthy, to be honest. But occasionally, in the midst of the bluffers and bullsh*t, a character comes along that you can’t help but like. Nick Woltemade is one that Newcastle United has discovered.
This summer, somewhat unexpectedly, the Germany striker became their record recruit, which is a positive beginning. Unexpected acquisitions are always preferable than those that come after months of rumours and hesitancy.
Large, expensive additions don’t usually inspire enthusiasm right away in the modern game, especially if they come from a side other than your own. More frequently, when the player’s stock is at its peak, a lot of individuals try to bring it down.
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Woltemade had a distinct feel. The German was easier to invest in than the typical £70 million striker from the moment of his unveiling. It was the underdog effect at first.
It sounds absurd to characterise any record signing as such, but Woltemade was in a bad position as soon as Stuttgart finished negotiating with “idiots” like Newcastle for every single euro they could.
Evidently, the 23-year-old “mistake” was not ranked first, second, or even third on Newcastle’s striker shopping list. From the standpoint of performance, filling Alexander Isak’s boots was a difficult undertaking for a young athlete who was yet drenched.
Woltemade was a bold acquisition by Newcastle, driven more by need than bravery, we must admit, given his meagre 14 goals and 32 top-flight starts, all of which came in a farmers’ league, clearly not our league.
His skills as a relative novice were drawing attention from major teams, and he came to Toon with two full Germany caps, so it wasn’t exactly a shot in the dark. However, Newcastle made a bold and costly move, while Woltemade became on everyone else’s watchlist.
The fact that Woltemade doesn’t resemble your typical pricey celebrity is another aspect of the uniqueness. We’re not totally sure what the expectation is there, but it most likely doesn’t resemble the child of Rudi Voller and Peter Crouch’s extramarital affair.
Woltemade may have decided to stand out with his outfit when he arrived in Leeds to support his new team on the day of his announcement. He did, but not in the way we’ve learnt to anticipate.
Wearing a sober black suit with a pin badge and club tie, the new recruit threw up peace signs from the executive box on Elland Road.
We’re not sure whether Big Nick’s businesslike demeanour speaks more about the game or us than it did about him.
For a young, up-and-coming star like him, who made “fashion” his primary off-field priority during his unveiling responsibilities, it appeared to be a deliberate decision, a covert way of telling the Toon Army that he meant business and was here to work for the team.
Perhaps in order to draw attention to the stark difference between his image and that of the man he was purchased to replace. It’s possible that we’re overanalysing it.
However, in a sport where you are only as excellent as your last game, first impressions don’t linger long. Woltemade has already proven himself deserving of the Toon Army’s adoration in his first six weeks on Tyneside.
If only to divert their attention from the image of their former hanging off Arne Slot’s arm, Newcastle fans who believe that one of their greatest heroes has betrayed them had to find a way to express their affection. And at St. James’, they fall hard.
Although Woltemade appears to be a good choice. We rely on rumours, Eddie Howe’s talk, and rumours circulating the Newcastle camp that the new youngster is a jerk.
Naturally, as the guys who covered their Isak tattoos during the summer will attest, there are no certainties. If one of the big boys ever came calling, perhaps the German would eventually shatter their hearts. Bayern, maybe crying bitterly because they didn’t get Woltemade this time.
The striker’s career trajectory is sharp, and his early Newcastle displays indicate that jealous eyes will soon be turned to the northeast.
Even though Harry Kane doesn’t have any imminent plans to leave Bavaria, it can be difficult to find a forward who is more qualified for the position when he needs a successor.
Because Woltemade is more than just a conventional striker, just like Kane. Kane spent years honing his instinct to drop deeper and take the lead in the build-up, while Woltemade seems to have it naturally.
The cynics are still hunting for a clear weakness to blame for Newcastle’s new number 27, which was chosen as a tribute to his mother—of course it is. And they may be for some time to come.
✌️ Two headers
💥 One unstoppable penalty
Nick Woltemade became the first @NUFC player to score in their first three Premier League home matches since Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand
Despite their height, some man-mountain center-forwards lack the strength they should have in the air. Big Nick doesn’t mind. Can a huge man have good feet? You wager. Is he eligible for a penalty? It’s the most amazing and strangely fulfilling one we’ve seen in a very long time.
Woltemade is currently having to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself, thus Newcastle is lucky to have discovered a striker who seems to be a born finisher.
Additionally, Will Osula and Bruno Guimaraes are their only Premier League goal scorers this season without his goals. None of their wingers have responded as of yet.
The addition of some attacking power to their already-established defensive stability is Howe’s top priority. It was natural to have some teething issues.
Isak dropped deep, but Woltemade stayed high, so Newcastle’s midfielders and wingers need to know when to break through the holes the German creates.
Given the calibre of players Howe has at his disposal, particularly in midfield, it is difficult to imagine Newcastle staying helpless for very long, especially with that unadulterated Big Nick Energy up top.
