But given their respective styles of play, it would make sense to look at playing them together. Woltemade would drop deep and do what he does best, but with Wissa’s ability to run in behind and his pace, it would prevent defenders pushing high up the pitch and squeezing him for space.
It could potentially unleash a devastating, dual-pronged attack, a refined version of the old little-and-large strike combinations that once dominated English football in the days of 4-4-2 and 4-4-1-1 formations.
Giving a player for Woltemade to play behind makes a lot of sense, especially as you can see similarities with the former Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp. He would not only have more room, he would have someone to link up with running off him.
It is a plan Newcastle, though, have kept in cold storage. For a start, Howe’s system does not operate with a typical No 10. He has not signed one in his four years in charge and, despite Woltemade’s profile, wanted him to play as the lead striker not behind one.
There were times when he paired Isak and Wilson together, but that often meant the former playing in a free role, drifting out to the flanks. That would not suit Woltemade.
