‘In trouble’ - Former Sunderland striker tells Nick Woltemade what he lacks at Newcastle United
Nick Woltemade scored 12 goals across all competitions in his debut Newcastle United season.
Former Sheffield United, Leeds United and Sunderland striker Brian Deane believes Nick Woltemade lacks the pace to truly frighten defenders.
A mixed campaign resulted in the German - who cost a club-record £64million - scoring 12 goals across all competitions. Woltemade enjoyed a flying start but his form dipped and, as a result, Eddie Howe converted him into a midfielder.
The experiment did not work, with the Newcastle United boss playing him as a support striker behind Will Osula for the latter stages of the season. This saw Woltemade improve but the debate about his best position continues to rage on Tyneside.
Former Sunderland player speaks out
Speaking to NewcastleWorld via Stake, former Premier League striker Deane - who spent a season at Sunderland - highlighted Woltemade’s attributes and flaws. He said: “I mean, he is what he is. The only thing for me is, when you've got somebody, big centre forwards that are very mobile, you pay a premium for them.
“My only issue is that I like a centre-forward who's dynamic when he's running. Woltemade is a very intelligent footballer. The one thing I'd say he lacks is the pace that would make me as a defender think, ‘I’m in trouble here’.
“I think you need that pace. If I’m honest, that pace is what I know scares defenders. The combination of both pace and power. But he is a wonderfully technical and very intelligent player.”
‘Can play as a No.10’ - Brian Deane
Deane also suggested he could play as a No.10, pointing towards Woltemade suiting a strike partnership. He added: “Yeah, I think that he can play as a No.10. You could play him in a 4-2-3-1 where he sits as a 10 and then you've got somebody else running on beyond him.
“He can be the one who you set the ball into and then things go on behind him, if that makes sense. I think he's an excellent player, it just depends how you're going to play him.
“If you're going to play him as the one up front on his own, well, I'm not sure he's got the pace - he needs somebody alongside him, because he can't do the channels on his own and needs that supporting player to get beyond him.”