Jermaine Jenas has raised eyebrows after making a curious assessment of Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade, claiming the £69 million forward still has “work to do” to justify his price tag.
The former Magpies midfielder also added that Woltemade is not on the same level as Alexander Isak, a comparison that has surprised many supporters given the very different stages of their Newcastle careers.
Woltemade arrived on Tyneside in the summer for a club-record fee after Newcastle fought off strong interest from Bayern Munich. The size of the deal immediately put the German striker under intense scrutiny, particularly back home, where some questioned whether he was worth such a significant investment.
Those doubts have started to fade, however, as Woltemade continues to deliver on the pitch. Nine goals across all competitions is a strong return for a player still settling into a new league, a new country, and a team with high expectations.
Any early momentum he built took a painful hit in the Tyne-Wear derby, when he endured a nightmare moment by scoring an own goal against Sunderland.
In most cases, such an incident would linger and damage a player’s confidence, especially in a rivalry as fierce as that one. Woltemade spent the following days as the subject of mockery from rival supporters, but his response said a lot about his mentality and character.
Rather than shrinking under the pressure, the towering 6ft 6in striker produced his best performance yet in a Newcastle shirt the following weekend.
Against Chelsea, Woltemade led the line with confidence, energy, and purpose, scoring twice and playing a key role in Newcastle’s attacking play. His brace not only helped the team earn a hard-fought draw but also sent a clear message that he is capable of responding when it matters most.
Despite that performance, Jenas suggested Woltemade still has plenty to prove before he can be considered a true success. Comparing him to Isak, who is now an established Premier League striker, feels premature to many fans who see Woltemade as a long-term project rather than an instant replacement.
Isak himself needed time to fully settle and find consistency, something Woltemade is now beginning to show.
What has stood out most during this early chapter of Woltemade’s Newcastle career is the bond he has formed with the supporters.
After the Chelsea match, the striker made a point of thanking the fans for their backing, particularly after the difficult derby moment. He admitted that the reaction he received during the midweek cup game, when he was introduced as a substitute and immediately heard his name sung, left a deep impression on him.
Woltemade spoke openly about how much the messages and support meant. He explained that receiving such positivity after scoring an own goal in a derby defeat is far from normal in football, and it made him feel genuinely appreciated.
That sense of belonging, he said, gave him confidence and helped him perform at a high level against Chelsea. Knowing the fans were firmly behind him allowed him to play with freedom rather than fear.
He also described the atmosphere inside St James’ Park as something special, saying it gave him a good feeling that directly influenced his performance.
For Woltemade, the connection with the supporters is already one of the highlights of his time at the club, and he sees it as a major reason why Newcastle feels like the right place for him.
While opinions like Jenas’ will continue to surface, Woltemade appears focused on letting his football do the talking. At just 23, he is still learning the demands of the Premier League and adapting to a new environment. If his response to early setbacks is any indication, Newcastle may well have a striker who thrives under pressure and grows stronger with every challenge.
