How Newcastle could replace Nick Woltemade this summer

Newcastle United continued their pre-season with an impressive 2-1 win away at Spanish side Valencia on Saturday, thanks to two goals from Yoane Wissa.

It was not a perfect afternoon for Matthias Jaissle’s side, though, as Jose Gaya committed a strong foul on Anthony Elanga that left people worrying about the winger’s situation.

However, it has since been revealed that he took a knock to his shin and that it is not thought to be a serious injury to his leg from the challenge that saw the Spaniard sent off in a friendly match.

There were also some underwhelming performances from some individual players, despite the win, as Nick Woltemade struggled in the number ten position.

Where Nick Woltemade fits in under Matthias Jaissle

Whilst the Magpies are still very early on in the Jaissle era, Woltemade already appears to have been earmarked to play as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 set-up.

The German coach has favoured that system throughout his managerial career and opted to go with it for the win over Valencia, starting with the more physical William Osula in the number nine role.

After scoring eight goals in 33 Premier League games for Eddie Howe last season, Woltemade now needs to make a strong impression on his new boss, but he failed to do that on Saturday.

The Germany international was completely ineffective on the ball, losing possession almost every other touch, as he failed to register any shots or key passes for the team.

If he continues to struggle in the ten role for Jaissle, there may be a big question mark over his future as a starter for the German until he improves his performance levels.

Newcastle in pursuit of Nick Woltemade upgrade

Another potential issue for Woltemade is that the club are also looking to bolster their squad with a new signing who could push him down the pecking order.

Journalist Mark Brus reports that Newcastle United are interested in a deal to sign Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush before the end of the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Magpies are prepared to join the race to sign the Egypt international, who could be on his way out of The Etihad in the coming weeks.

He adds that the forward is high up on the club’s list of transfer targets as they look to improve the attack, but also reveals that City are looking for a fee of up to £56m for the versatile attacker.

If possible, the club should pay the money required to sign the Cityzens forward because he would be the perfect upgrade on Woltemade as a versatile player who can operate as a striker or as a number ten.

Marmoush struggled for game time last season, competing with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki for minutes, but his form in the 2024/25 campaign shows that he has immense potential.

A return of 22 goals and 19 ‘big chances’ created in 33 matches in the Bundesliga and Premier League combined shows that he has the quality to be a constant difference-maker in the final third when playing regularly.

Marmoush has already shown that he can deliver in Europe’s major leagues, thriving in Germany and then England that season, which may be why Newcastle are now so keen to sign him.

He only started eight of his 21 appearances in the Premier League for City last term, yet he was still able to rack up three goals and three assists for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, Marmoush has scored 25 goals and created 22 ‘big chances’ in 39 league starts for Eintracht Frankfurt and Man City combined, which is a staggering return.

Woltemade, meanwhile, has scored 20 goals, created 13 ‘big chances’, and provided five assists for Stuttgart and Newcastle combined in the last two seasons.

These statistics suggest Marmoush, who can operate in similar positions on the pitch, outclasses the Germany international as an attacking player in the Premier League and would provide more goals and assists in the number ten role.

The former Stuttgart star, therefore, should be concerned if the club win the race to sign the Egyptian forward, as it could result in him being left struggling for minutes on the bench in Jaissle’s system.