Howe may have an Isak & Ekitike hybrid in “absolutely ridiculous” Newcastle talent
The summer transfer window brought a period of significant change for Newcastle United, headlined by the high-profile departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
While such a loss could easily be seen as a setback, the club’s strategic movements in the market suggest a clear and exciting plan for the future.
Though the start of the 2025/26 season hasn’t been flawless, a recent performance against Liverpool itself a match played with passion, cohesion, and elite-level ability proved that the Magpies remain a force to be reckoned with.
The foundation built by Eddie Howe and the club’s ownership is strong, and the latest addition to the squad might just be the most intriguing piece of the puzzle yet.
With Isak’s move finalized, attention turned to who could possibly fill the void left by a striker of his caliber. Interestingly, the player many had initially tipped for that role, Hugo Ekitike, also now finds himself at Anfield.
Ekitike, signed by Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, possesses a similar profile to Isak: a tall, athletic, and stylish forward with a proven eye for goal.
His start to life in England has been promising, with three goals and an assist already, validating why he was once considered a prime target for Newcastle.
The irony is not lost that the two players most resembling a like-for-like replacement for Isak are now teammates at a rival club.
This situation forced Newcastle’s recruitment team to think differently, and their solution arrived in the form of 23-year-old German international Nick Woltemade, signed from Stuttgart in a club-record £69 million deal.
While the name might not carry the immediate weight of Isak’s, a deeper look reveals a player with a truly unique and devastating skill set.
Woltemade is not a mere carbon copy; he is a hybrid, blending attributes that made Isak and Ekitike so desirable with a distinct style of his own.
Last season in the Bundesliga, Woltemade announced himself with 12 goals from just 17 starts, a return that earned him his first caps for the German national team.
But the goals only tell part of the story. It’s the underlying data that truly showcases his remarkable all-around game.
According to the data analytics platform FBref, Woltemade ranks among the most creative and dynamic forwards in Europe’s top five leagues.
To understand how he compares to the more established Yoane Wissa, another excellent summer signing from Brentford, the numbers from last season provide a clear picture:
| Statistic (*per 90 mins) | Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart) | Yoane Wissa (Brentford) |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (Starts) | 28 (17) | 36 (32) |
| Goals | 12 | 19 |
| Assists | 2 | 6 |
| Shots on Target* | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Pass Completion | 72% | 78% |
| Key Passes* | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Successful Dribbles* | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Ball Recoveries* | 1.9 | 1.4 |
| Duels Won* | 4.4 | 4.7 |
Data via Sofascore
The table shows that while Wissa is the more polished and proven Premier League goal threat, Woltemade’s contributions are multifaceted.
He ranks among the top 5% of European forwards for shot-creating actions and successful take-ons, demonstrating an exceptional ability to drive past defenders and make things happen.
Furthermore, he sits in the top 15% for progressive carries and the top 18% for ball recoveries, highlighting a work rate and defensive awareness that is uncommon for a player of his size and technical quality.
This is what makes him such a fascinating prospect. He is a modern forward in every sense. Hailed for his “absolutely ridiculous” quality in the final third by European football expert Zach Lowy, Woltemade’s game is built on more than just finishing.
His sharp link-up play, intelligence, and prowess as a technically proficient target man have drawn comparisons to legendary figures like Karim Benzema and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He is a player who can drop deep to connect play, beat a man with a clever dribble, or arrive in the box to finish a move.
In Yoane Wissa, Newcastle has acquired a refined and reliable Premier League goalscorer, a fantastic signing in his own right. But in Nick Woltemade, they have secured a project of the highest order a player with the raw tools and data profile to become something truly special.
Under the guidance of Eddie Howe, a manager renowned for improving players, Woltemade has the capacity to take the best elements of players like Isak and Ekitike and fuse them into a unique and devastating forward, ultimately forging his own path and becoming a new hero for the Toon Army.