Newcastle United’s forward line is largely unrecognisable when compared to the duo we often saw last season.
Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have both departed, seeing Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa come in to compliment the raw but talented Will Osula.
Eddie Howe’s 4-3-3 system only allows for one striker to start at a time, but a new report from The Telegraph reveals how that could soon change; and open the door for another new forward to sign in 2026.
Luke Edwards reports that Eddie Howe is considering a switch to a 4-2-3-1, once Wissa returns from injury and the right game presents itself, allowing Woltemade to play just off our new No.9, which had been the plan for Joao Pedro had he joined from Brighton.
And with that comes the need for another option up top, as The Telegraph report that we are set to be in the market for another centre forward next year, either in the January window or ‘certainly’ next summer if not.
Edwards states: ‘The return of Wissa will also be pivotal. Do not be surprised if Newcastle play the pair together in a new formation. Howe has always favoured a 4-3-3, but with Woltemade’s profile, there is definitely scope to switch to something like a 4-2-3-1 with Woltemade playing as a No 10 and Wissa as the most advanced striker. It would still give Newcastle width on the wings.
‘This is something Newcastle were considering when they were trying to sign João Pedro and Hugo Ekitke, earlier in the summer, when they were adamant Isak was staying at the club.
‘When he is fit again, Wissa will rotate with Woltemade, but they will also, when Howe thinks the situation requires it, play together.
‘It is also why Newcastle are likely to be in the market for a third striker, if not in January, then certainly next summer.’
As Edwards states, it feels like Woltemade is more of a Dennis Bergkamp, opposed to the Thierry Henry style we had in Alexander Isak, meaning more options to compliment the German would be welcome as we transition into a potential new system.
Considering Woltemade’s superb link up play and ability to create with his back to goal and bring others into play, it makes sense to use him in a slightly deeper role, increasing the need to sign another natural goalscorer to compete with Wissa, who recently turned 29.
Osula remains an option, but the 22-year-old can also play wide, as he did in the latter stages of last night’s 4-1 win where the big Dane scored a brace.
We definitely need another striker in the next 12 months:
(a) Woltemade ain’t a c/f as we can see
(b) Wissa is injured now (Senegal); Senegal care nowt for NUFC and will get him injured again, for the same reason – lack of training- in October unless Eddie can successfully put the block on those internationals
(c) Wissa will be away for the Afcon matches
(d) Wissa is 29 already – he might be a wonder, a superman, a Levandovski, but if he is a normal human, he will decline sharply in the next 2 years
(e) Osula might grow into a goal scoring hero in a year or two, but he equally well might not.
(f) Reinforcement needed in the most glaringly weak part of our squad – the opposition’s penalty area
(nb, for anyone in doubt, the opposition’s penalty area is where 90% of football matches are decided)
That’s the case for a further goalscorer on the books within 12 months.
davewallace(Quote)
Eddie has confirmed wissa won’t go on international duty next month. And he plays for congo, not Senegal
East Stand(Quote)
Thank you, East Stand, much obliged (and good news re October internationals).
That just leaves 6 reasons!
davewallace(Quote)
Edwards is picking stuff off various NUFC fan sites again & mixing it up. Yes Howe’s been looking at a 4-2-3-1 option for long, ever since our brief pursuit of Maddison in 2022-23. It also impacts midfield selection & defensive shape without possession so its not an easy switch to make when your team’s full of wingers & not all of them are good at defending.
The biggest issue with playing the 2 W’s together is that we have a Sat-Wed-Sat schedule for the next 4-5 months (depending on how far we go in the cups). Exhaustion or injuries putting one or both out for a while is a real risk if both play every game. Wissa can come off early sometimes with Osula sent on, esp if defending a lead, but Woltemade’d have to play through every time which, given he’s still coming to terms with the demands of the league, is only going to lead to problems. They have to mostly step in for each other this season, apart from during Afcon. Perhaps buying a playmaker in Jan to rotate with Woltemade rather than a striker may be the answer.
P(Quote)