Only reservists in Newcastle
©IMAGO
Shortly before the transfer deadline last summer, Newcastle United brought in the duo Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa for a combined fee of 133 million euros to strengthen the first eleven. At the end of the season, however, the offensive players are only in the reserve role. Before the game against leaders Arsenal FC on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.), coach Eddie Howe commented on the situation between the two.
“Both are desperate to contribute and both are desperate to help the team and play well. And of course that was exactly our intention when we brought them to the club,” said the 48-year-old. “But like any player who doesn’t play, they need to show their value in training.” William Osula, who was successful in the last two games, was recently preferred in the center of the attack. In addition, Anthony Gordon, who scored the most goals in all competitions with 17 goals in 46 games, has been playing as a center forward since the beginning of the year.
“It’s difficult. You have to reward players for what they deliver and at the moment I’ve chosen another option other than Woltemade,” Howe explained. “Of course when he plays he has to do the same and try to provide the goals we need.” Woltemade was still seeded in the first half of the season and is the second most expensive signing in Newcastle’s history at 75 million euros. In the second half of the season he was allowed to start six times and came off the bench seven times. In the last two Premier League games it was only enough for short appearances. His last goal in the league came against Chelsea in mid-December, and in 2026 he only scored in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa.
Wissa came from Brentford FC for 57.7 million euros and was out for a long time with a knee injury. The Congolese only made his debut for the Magpies in December and has since made 14 appearances in the Premier League in which he has only managed one goal. In addition, he was successful once each in the Champions League and the EFL Cup. In the last five league games, Wissa was on the bench three times for more than 90 minutes and made two short appearances. Howe justified the lack of form with the long-term injury, but – just like Woltemade – attested to him having “unique qualities”. With 42 points from 33 games, Newcastle is in 14th place, international business is far away (to the table).
