Former England striker Peter Crouch has spotted a striking similarity to his playing days after Newcastle sealed the signings of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle finally end striker saga
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has finally landed long-term target Wissa after losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool on a dramatic final day of the summer transfer window.
Brentford’s 28-year-old DR Congo international, who was born in France, has joined the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, which is understood could eventually amount to £55million, and will wear the club’s famous number nine shirt.
Wissa’s efforts to force his way out of Brentford have not differed too starkly from the tactics employed by Isak in engineering his move, but one way or the other that Magpies now have their new look strike partnership.
Indeed, his addition to an attacking pool already boosted by the signing of Germany international Nick Woltemade, who arrived at the weekend, gives Howe plenty of options for new systems and formations, though fans will have to endure an international break before they see their new faces in action.
“I’m really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League,” Wissa said as he posed for pictures on Monday in Alan Shearer’s iconic number nine shirt.
“I’m very, very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I’ve got dreams, I’ve got faith, and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can’t wait to get started.”
Woltemade and Wissa anointed the new Crouch and Defoe
Newcastle targeted Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike earlier in the summer and the plan was to use the Frenchman in a front two with Isak, but whether or not Howe is intent on doing the same with Woltemade and Wissa remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure though, the pair bring plenty of complementary traits to the table, with Woltemade’s massive 6 foot 6 frame sure to be a focal point for the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga to aim at, while Wissa’s industriousness and ability to be in the right place at the right time was evident in his partnerships with both Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney.
And Crouch, who formed an iconic partnership with Jermain Defoe, has reacted on X to the suggestion that the Newcastle pair could be the next generation’s little and large duo.
Standing at 6 foot 7, Crouch is slightly taller than the 6 foot 6 Woltemade, but like Crouch the Germany international is known for having the old cliche of ‘good feet for a big man’.
Wissa is two inches taller than the 5 foot 7 Defoe, but if he can replicate the goalscoring record of the former Tottenham and Sunderland legend, who is the tenth best Premier League goalscorer of all time with 156, there won’t be anyone on Tyneside complaining about his transfer fee.