#newcastle-united

#newcastle-united

He surprised me a lot; he is very good with the ball, without the ball. He is quick, smart, breaking the lines. He and Sven are the future of this club. They are very comfortable with the ball, they don't feel the pressure. They have been amazing together.

The football world knew they were trying to replace Liverpool-bound Alexander Isak and were set to have a massive influx of funds - 125m as it turned out. It was natural that clubs would ask the Magpies for a premium. 55m for Brentford's Yoane Wissa? No problem. 69m for Germany international Nick Woltemade? OK. Woltemade, 23, has started the season well, scoring twice in three Premier League appearances and once in the Champions League, and looks an excellent signing.

Isak had three years left on his Newcastle contract when he made it clear that he wanted to leave during the summer transfer window, and being aware that his value would only drop as time went on, the decision was made for a British transfer record deal to be agreed with Liverpool. Another player whose deal ends in 2028 is Bruno Guimaraes, and Newcastle are clear that they do not want him to follow in the footsteps of Isak.

For the first time in his career, the 6ft 6in forward realised he was not the tallest player in the dressing room after completing his club-record move from Stuttgart last month. Alongside Dan Burn (6ft 7in), the German now finds himself surrounded by other imposing figures, including Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Joelinton and William Osula. These players do not all start for Newcastle at any one given time, but this towering side still have all the ingredients to carry a threat at set-plays.

The Swiss centre-back, who has become a pillar of Newcastle's defence since arriving for just 3 million, has been sidelined after suffering a heavy blow to the head in the midweek Champions League tie against Barcelona. As per the strict concussion protocols in the Premier League, Schar was forced into a mandatory 12-day recovery period, having now endured two such incidents in a short space of time.