After a stop-start opening to the season, Newcastle United finally appear to be finding rhythm.
Going into their recent home fixture, Eddie Howe’s side had one of the lowest expected goals tallies in the Premier League – a concerning figure for a team competing in the Champions League and aiming for another top-four push.
But after back-to-back victories, 4-0 against Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, the Magpies look revitalised.
The improvement has been clear. Six goals in two games without conceding is a sign that Newcastle are balancing both ends of the pitch.
The performances weren’t so emphatic as to raise expectations sky-high, but they were precisely the kind of controlled, confident displays Howe would have wanted.
And perhaps most impressively, they’ve come despite a growing injury list.
Both starting full-backs, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, face extended spells on the sidelines.
Fabian Schär, meanwhile, has only just returned from concussion, but his place in the starting XI is suddenly far from guaranteed.
That’s because his replacement, a £30m summer signing from AC Milan, has made a seamless transition into the side.
While the spotlight currently belongs to the man spearheading Newcastle’s attack, it may be their new defender who turns out to be “one of the signings of the summer.”
Why Woltemade is the man of the moment
Nick Woltemade’s arrival at St James’ Park was met with curiosity.
The 23-year-old German forward joined from Werder Bremen after scoring 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances.
He caught the eye of Bayern Munich, who saw three bids rejected.
Instead, it was Howe who convinced the towering 1.98m striker that Newcastle was the right place to continue his development.
Since then, the attacker has been nothing short of transformative.
He opened his account on his home debut against Wolves, before adding further goals against Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Nottingham Forest – where he rifled a superb penalty into the top corner to round off the win.
His blend of physical presence, link-up play, and calm finishing has quickly made him a fan favourite on Tyneside.
In Sunday’s match against Forest, he was unlucky not to score more than once, denied by the post and an inspired Matz Sels performance.
When he left the field, the Gallowgate End rose to its feet, chanting his name in unison.
Unfortunately, illness has ruled him out of the current international break – though Howe will secretly be pleased to keep his new talisman fresh and close to home.
With Yoane Wissa yet to feature for Newcastle, Woltemade’s form and fitness are paramount.
His early-season output has quelled doubts about Newcastle’s attacking fluency and offered a glimpse into Howe’s evolving system – one that relies less on chaos and more on control.
Yet while the German striker’s goals are making headlines, another of the club’s summer signings is quietly redefining their defensive stability.
Newcastle's real signing of the summer
Woltemade’s impact on this Newcastle side has been eye-catching. On the contrary, Malick Thiaw’s introduction to English football has been understated but immaculate.
The 24-year-old centre-back arrived from AC Milan for £30m after two standout seasons in Serie A, where he made 85 appearances.
His profile – composed, progressive, and powerful – fits seamlessly into Howe’s tactical blueprint.
Statistically, Thiaw’s impact has been immense. Compared to positional peers in the Premier League, he ranks in the 95th percentile among his positional peers for pass completion (93.2%) and in the 85th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (4.86).
That ability to initiate play from deep has added an extra layer of composure to Newcastle’s build-up.
Ground Duels Won
1
Aerial Duels Won
4
Clearances
8
Interceptions
1
Dribbled Past
0
What stands out most is his calmness under pressure – his close control, his knack for turning out of tight spaces, and his confidence stepping into midfield to progress the ball.
For a defender still adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League, his transition has been remarkably smooth.
Thiaw’s partnership with Sven Botman has all the makings of a long-term defensive axis for Newcastle.
Both are young, technically gifted, and dominant in the air. Together, they could form one of the most balanced and forward-thinking centre-back pairings in the division.
For Howe, who knows the importance of rotation with European fixtures piling up, Thiaw’s arrival is more than just depth.
The German brings a level of assurance that allows Newcastle to play higher, press smarter, and retain control in matches that once felt frantic.
While Woltemade’s early-season exploits deserve every bit of praise they’ve received, the real signing of the summer might just be standing behind him.
