FROM LONDON STADIUM—Everything has gone right for Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United. Until today here away at struggling West Ham. The tall German has been one of the most successful signings of the season, playing as a No.10 and creating chances for his team-mates, and scoring goals with the clinical touch of a No. 9. So it was surprising and controversial to see Newcastle’s leading scorer withdrawn at half-time by his head coach, Eddie Howe, with his team trailing. Howe and why?
Woltemade enjoyed no service, and was left so isolated by his midfield and wingers that he managed only one touch in the area, reflective of the visitors’ overall passivity. “I almost could have taken anyone off,” Howe said by way of explanation. “The team needed some shaking up at half-time. The physicality and dynamism wasn’t there for us.”
Howe also hooked Anthony Gordon and Emil Krafth at the break, which was understandable as neither had impressed. But it felt harsh on Woltemade. He sat on the bench, wrapped up warmly, hoodie pulled down almost over his eyes as if masking the sight of a game without him.
His removal was lamented not only by Newcastle fans, and here is a sign of Woltemade’s phenomenal global impact. More than 600,000 of the 10m managers around the world who play Fantasy Premier League transferred Woltemade into their online teams for this round of games, believing he would win them points. So the sight of Woltemade on the bench was almost as galling for fantasy fans as it was for his real army of Newcastle fans.
