NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 2: Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 2, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe Gives Brutally Honest Verdict on Nick Woltemade’s Performance
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been praised for his brutally honest assessment of Nick Woltemade’s performance. After Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, Howe made some surprising substitutions, including bringing off Woltemade and Anthony Gordon. When asked about his decision, Howe was candid about his frustration with the team’s performance.¹
Howe’s Honest Assessment
Howe described the first half as “poor” and stated that he would have taken anyone off. He felt the team needed a shake-up and a different dynamic on the pitch. The substitutions were not meant as a criticism of Woltemade and Gordon but rather an attempt to inject new energy into the team. Howe’s honesty has been praised by fans and pundits alike, with many commending him for speaking the truth.
Woltemade’s Performance
Despite the team’s loss, Woltemade has been having a great start to the season. He has scored four Premier League goals, making him Newcastle’s top scorer in the competition. Howe has praised Woltemade’s performance, citing his excellent team ethics, ability to score goals, and technical skills. However, Howe also emphasized the importance of consistency for Woltemade, as teams will devise strategies to counter him.²
Howe’s Confidence in Woltemade
Despite the criticism from Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who called Newcastle “fools” for paying £69 million for Woltemade, Howe remains confident in the player’s abilities. He believes that Woltemade can get even better and that his performance will be judged on how he performs for the team, not on the transfer fee.³
Key Takeaways
– Eddie Howe’s Honesty: Howe’s brutally honest assessment of Woltemade’s performance has been praised by fans and pundits.
– Woltemade’s Form: Woltemade has been having a great start to the season, scoring four Premier League goals and becoming Newcastle’s top scorer in the competition.
-Howe’s Confidence: Howe remains confident in Woltemade’s abilities, believing he can get even better and that his performance will be judged on how he performs for the team.
Newcastle are already bracing for the Nick Woltemade’s exit in the future despite only signing the German in August.
Woltemade with linked with a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich over the summer but Newcastle ultimately won the race to sign the towering 23-year-old.
The youngster moved to St. James’ Park for a club-record £69m as the Magpies geared up for the departure of Alexander Isak.
Isak had been linked with a move to Liverpool all summer and completed his British record switch to Anfield on deadline day.
Advert
And while Isak struggles on Merseyside, Woltemade has made a flying start for Newcastle having scored four goals in his opening six Premier League outings.
A move away from Newcastle in the foreseeable future is unlikely but Woltemade has his sights set on a return to Germany one day, specifically with the Bavarian powerhouse.
Harry Kane is currently first choice frontman for Bayern, and absolutely flying in Germany, but his contract expires in 2027, while a Premier League return next summer has also been mooted.
Newcastle considering Woltemade replacement
Newcastle, meanwhile, are looking to future proof their frontline should Bayern turn their attention to Woltemade at the end of the season, and have earmarked a Norwegian hitman as a potential replacement for the Germany international.
Advert
Spanish publication Marca reports that Newcastle scouts were in attendance for Atletico Madrid’s 5-2 win over rivals Real Madrid, specifically to run the rule over striker Alexander Sorloth.
Sorloth has struggled for goals and game time for Diego Simeone’s side this season but started the Los Blancos mauling, scoring in the process. The 29-year-old’s only other goal this season came in a 1-1 draw with Elche back in August.
Nick Pope Leaves Newcastle Crowd in Awe After Producing Incredible Assist
Nick Pope produced an incredible assist for Newcastle’s second goal against Benfica in the Champions League.
Newcastle fans were left stunned by Nick Pope producing one of the assists of the season against Benfica on Tuesday night.
The Magpies went 1-0 up against Jose Mourinho‘s men through Anthony Gordon in the first half, as he tapped home from a Jacob Murphy cross.
Harvey Barnes came off the bench to bag a brace to round off an impressive 3-0 victory, finding the net in the 70th minute and then doubling his tally 13 minutes later.
Advert
Gordon set up his second but it was goalkeeper Pope who recorded the sensational assist for Barnes’ first effort.
The England goalkeeper had the ball in his clutches in his own box and then, after spotting Barnes darting up the pitch, performed a NFL quarterback-like giant throw right up the pitch and into the opposition half.
After a Benfica defender missed the ball, Barnes latched onto it down the right and slotted home with a fine strike which went in off the post.
Harvey Barnes brilliantly doubles Newcastle’s lead 🔥 What about the assist from Nick Pope though… @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK
While some players went over to celebrate with Barnes, the likes of Dan Burn, Malik Thiaw, Sven Botman and captain Bruno Guimaraes mobbed Pope after his incredible heroics.
Advert
The former Burnley shotstopper is not known for his distribution but contributed in a huge way with a throw that was described as “special” and “genuinely unbelievable” by fans online.
Nick Pope’s assist saw him mobbed by his teammates. Image: Getty
“It just sort of opened up and you just take off don’t you,” Barnes told TNT Sports after being asked if the move was planned.
“He’s played a great ball, got a little bit of luck with the defender missing it but when you’re in those positions it’s just natural instincts to do what you do and finish it. It was a great assist by Popey.”
Advert
Paying tribute to Pope, Gordon added: “We all love him. He’s one of the most popular people in the dressing room. He’s a top guy and a top keeper, he kept us in so many games this season and even some of the saves he made it in the first half were incredible so he deserves it.”
Pope signed secret contract
As well as his assist, Pope kept a seventh clean sheet this season and did so after it reports emerged that he had penned a contract extension until July 2027.
However, in a press conference ahead of the Benfica clash, Pope revealed that he penned those terms back in 2023 without it coming to light.
Advert
“Tough to say [how it feels] because I signed that in July 2023,” Pope admitted.
“So, I was really happy about it then and I’ll say my contract’s up in July 2027. But yeah, of course, I look forward to spending as long as I can here.
“The club is sort of ever evolving, every transfer window, every few months, whether that’s players, new bits around the training ground, just ourselves as a team, I think we’ve evolved and evolved over that time. And yeah, it’s been great to be a part of it.
“You want to be part of it moving forward, really feel like we’ve got that first trophy under our belt now and we qualified for the Champions League twice and you’re kind of looking to do that back to back.”
Advert
After three games, Newcastle are seventh in the Champions League table with six points from a possible nine.
Eddie Howe’s side return to action on Saturday when they host Fulham in the Premier League as they look to climb the table.
About the Author
