An interesting write up about Premier League clubs and which players have proved to be the key players so far this season, the ‘big hits’ in each team.

This report from ESPN picking out an interesting choice for Newcastle United.

OneFootball Videos

A ‘panic signing’ this past summer…

Ian Darke writing for ESPN about who has proved to be the main man so far for each of the 20 Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United – 18 November 2025:

‘Sport defies predictions, and seasons take unexpected twists and turns. It was only a few weeks ago, after a run of dramatic late wins, that everyone was handing the Premier League title to Liverpool; now, Arsenal look to be strong favourites. But things can change again, and the movers and shakers often turn out to be unexpected ones. Here is my selection of players who have been big hits in the 2025-26 season.

“Newcastle fans wondered whether 6-foot-6 striker Nick Woltemade was a panic signing after so many other targets had been missed in the summer.

“But the Germany international has already become a cult figure with his classy flicks and touches, not to mention six goals for his new club.

“What he can’t do, however, is run in behind like Alexander Isak once did, so his teammates are having to adapt to a different style of No. 9.”

My thoughts

Newcastle United needed two new strikers, with Callum Wilson having left at the end of his NUFC contract, plus Alexander Isak in the process of forcing his way out of St James’ Park when halfway through his (six year) contract.

Yoane Wissa was clearly identified early on by Eddie Howe to fill one of the two gaps, however, United having to be patient before they could eventually land him at the very end of the window.

The other striker position was a little different though.

Newcastle United trying to sign the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, or Jorgen Strand Larsen, without any luck.

When it eventually ended up as Nick Woltemade, many of those in the media keen to try and make out that with some late desperate move for somebody way down Eddie Howe’s list of targets, or even that the German striker was somebody who hadn’t even been on the list!

The reality was though, that a host of clubs had been keen on Nick Woltemade ahead of the summer transfer window, but it had quickly became apparent that Big Nick only had eyes for Bayern Munich who had made clear they wanted to buy him. No surprise either way, with Bayern the dominant German club who hoover up much of the best young talent from other Bundesliga clubs, whilst the natural progression for many of those young up and coming German players is to want to sign for the most successful club in their native country.

With the other top clubs all stepping back, in the knowledge that Nick Woltemade had made clear where he saw his future, Bayern Munich had a free run on him. However, they tried to take advantage and get the exciting young striker on the cheap, a series of lowball offers infuriating Stuttgart and they understandably refused to sell on the cheap.

That series of lowball offers below Stuttgart’s valuation, finalised with one of £52m, Stuttgart basically telling Bayern they were sick of being messed around and wouldn’t entertain them further.

Eddie Howe explaining that Newcastle United got knowledge of this and went in with a credible offer that met Stuttgart’s valuation to try and land Nick Woltemade before others could react. Their £65m offer (plus £4.3m in possible future add-ons) satisfying the Bundesliga club and the rest is history.

Nick Woltemade has proved an outstanding success and he is still just settling in, scoring six goals for Newcastle United across the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup, whilst it is ten goals for club and country for Big Nick since signing for NUFC. Not just his goals, his complete performances as well, how he brings other players into the game.