Comparing Woltemade and Isak’s Newcastle Debuts: A Six-Game Showdown

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Just six matches into his career, Nick Woltemade is quickly becoming a favorite among Newcastle United supporters, potentially helping to alleviate any lingering regrets from Alexander Isak’s departure. The €75 million signing found the net again during Newcastle’s impressive 4-0 win against Union Saint Gilloise, marking their first points in the Champions League group stage.

Woltemade showcased his skills with a clever flick that redirected Sandro Tonali’s shot past the goalkeeper, demonstrating his versatility after heading his previous two goals from crosses. He wasn’t alone in the victory; Anthony Gordon converted two penalties, one before and one after halftime, establishing a comfortable lead for the Magpies in what became their largest win of the season. Harvey Barnes capped the scoring late in the match, allowing Woltemade and other key players a well-deserved rest ahead of Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

The imposing striker recorded his third goal in six appearances for the Magpies, and considering their similar ages, profiles, and transfer fees, a comparison with Isak’s early performance is warranted. After transferring from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022, Isak also scored three goals in his first six matches, though Newcastle fans had to wait for him to hit his stride due to a significant injury that sidelined him for months. In contrast, Woltemade has jumped straight into action at St James’ Park. At just 23, he seems to be thriving as the spearhead of Eddie Howe’s team. Taking over from Isak after his €125 million move to Liverpool is a formidable challenge, but Woltemade has integrated seamlessly since his high-profile transfer from Stuttgart. It’s worth noting that Isak has yet to score in the Premier League for Liverpool, although he managed to net a goal against Southampton in the EFL Cup.

Woltemade’s Champions League journey began on a less than ideal note with a subdued performance in the 2-1 loss to Barcelona, but he has since scored three goals in his last four matches—all of which opened the scoring—highlighting his potential importance to the team this season. The challenge for him will be maintaining the scoring form that Isak displayed, which etched his name into Tyneside history over the course of a season. However, there’s no doubt Woltemade has made a striking start to his career as the club’s record signing. If he continues to deliver performances like this, Isak’s shadow may soon fade away.