Nick Woltemade showed his hunger to score in more ways than one in Brussels with the 4-0 rout over Union SG sparking a major talking point
Newcastle United’s Joelinton speaks with Nick Woltemade in the 4-0 win over Union(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe admitted he “loved” the fact that Nick Woltemade rowed over penalty taking duties in Brussels – after trying to grab the ball off designated taker Anthony Gordon.
The German international attempted to take the spot-kick after Anthony Elanga was brought down in the box but was held back and calmed down by Joelinton. But Howe had no issues with Woltemade’s hunger to score even if it did make things slightly more nervy for Gordon – 12 months on from his penalty blunder against Everton.
Howe said: ‘I love it! The best strikers I’ve worked with want to score. Even if there is a directive, they don’t care! They want to score.
“They want that responsibility. I’ve got no issue with that at all.”
Woltemade ran over to celebrate with Gordon after the first goal before he took his tally to three in the Champions League this term.
Howe has shrugged off bitter Bayern Munich comments about Woltemade after questions over his £69million fee were raised by the likes of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Howe feels that the striker can go on and silence them all, he said: “His potential is high. There are certain things we want to get more from him.
“The physicality of the Premier League will insist he does certain things, the covering of big distances.
“You have to do be able to do that to be effective, the constant nature of the ball is not out of play a lot in the Premier League, it is relentless. You have to be able to maintain that intensity for long periods of time.
“I think his standout qualities are his technical ability and he looks like he has a knack for scoring goals, which is a great thing to have, and of course his height and his presence, which I think he can get better at the longer he is with us.
“I think it is an exciting start for him and he’s done really, really well, and more importantly, he is willing and he wants to do the work and he wants to improve.”
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