The weight of a £69 million price tag can be crushing, and for Nick Woltemade, the Newcastle striker, it appears to be a burden he’s struggling to bear. Arriving with a reputation forged in Germany’s youth ranks – six goals in five games at the European Under-21 Championship – expectations were sky-high.
Initially, Woltemade offered a glimmer of hope, netting five times in his first ten appearances for Newcastle. He was brought in to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, to provide a consistent goal threat, and for a brief period, it seemed he might deliver.
But the promise quickly faded. A stark downturn in form saw just one goal in seventeen games in 2026, a drought that has forced manager Eddie Howe to experiment with Woltemade in unfamiliar positions, even deploying him in central midfield.
This tactical shift hasn’t yielded positive results, and has fueled a scathing assessment from talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham, who boldly declared Woltemade “the worst signing in Premier League history.” It’s a harsh judgment, Durham insists, not a personal one, but a reflection of the colossal disconnect between price and performance.
Durham’s observation during a recent match was particularly damning. With the tie already decided against Qarabag, it was an opportunity for players to impress, yet Newcastle’s expensive striker found himself starting in midfield – a clear indication of Howe’s lack of trust in his ability to lead the line.
Howe himself admitted Woltemade’s midfield performance was his least impactful since joining the club. The question now isn’t just about form, but about fundamental suitability. Is he a striker? The goal tally suggests a resounding no. A midfielder? Howe’s assessment speaks volumes. Even a number ten role seems beyond his capabilities, overshadowed by talents like Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.
The core issue, according to Durham, isn’t a lack of talent, but a lack of a defined role within the team’s structure. Woltemade simply doesn’t fit the system, and Howe is desperately searching for a place where he can contribute. A £70 million player without a position is, in Durham’s view, a “joke signing.”
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer echoes these concerns, highlighting a stylistic mismatch. Woltemade’s pace and stature don’t align with the high-energy, pressing game that has defined Howe’s successful Newcastle side. He lacks the stamina to execute the demanding tactical approach.
Shearer’s analysis points to a deeper problem: Howe is effectively playing a winger as a centre-forward, a testament to the issues surrounding Woltemade’s performance. The search for a solution continues, but the initial investment appears to be yielding diminishing returns, leaving a cloud of doubt over the future of Newcastle’s high-profile signing.
