Woltemade: Another Joelinton?

Eddie Howe decided to play Nick Woltemade in a deep lying role against Aston Villa; a role that was far more a midfield one than a 10. Following on from Eddie's comments that he has been training Woltemade in a midfield position, where is this going?

Woltemade was signed as a ST for a record Newcastle fee of £69M after a break out season in Germany. Even during his initial goal scoring run questions were being raised about whether his style pf play fitted into our high press, quick break counter, tactics.

His lack of pace and tendency to drop deep often meant he wasn't in a position for the type pf passes that were played to Isak and quick transition opportunities were lost.

Although Wissa's return has meant that Woltemade's starts in the team are no longer a near certainty, the fact is that prior to his goal against Villa he had gone thirteen matches as a starter or sub without a adding to his early season tally.

Eddie Howe has even started without Woltemade and Wissa and played Anthony Gordon in the ST role - leaving £124M worth of strikers warming the bench.

That wasn't to give Woltemade and Wissa a rest, they have been rotated, it was because Eddie had more confidence in a result with Gordon as a ST.

That has to be a concern and it adds fuel to the recent rumour that one of our top priorities in the summer window is a striker.

Another Joelinton?

After Jo failed to impress as a ST there were rumours he could be sold.

That was until Eddie Howe arrived and worked his magic, turning Jo into a powerhouse of a midfield player who became one of the first names on the team sheet and such was the transformation in form that he was capped by Brazil.

Has Eddie now decided that Woltemade isn't the type of ST that he wants and - rather than sell him at what might be a significant loss - Big Nick can be an asset to the squad and team as a 10 or a midfield player?

If that is the case - and Eddie has discussed that with Woltemade - how does Big Nick feel about that?

He is Germany's current main ST and he has done well and scored goals. Woltemade may feel that if Eddie doesn't rate him as an ST it's better he moves on.

A better ST is needed for next season

That doesn't necessarily mean we have to spend big on a new striker.

It means that Woltemade and/or Wissa still have time have to prove to Eddie that they can be the ST's he wants for next season. Currently, neither is performing at the consistently high level needed to challenge for a top four spot.

If it's true that Eddie now sees Woltemade's best position as a 10 or in midfield then we either need a back up ST to Wissa or a new main man.

It will be interesting to see where Eddie plays Woltemade between now and the end of the season. That might give fans a heads up as to how the ST situation will play out.

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