Kieran Trippier launched a defence of Woltemade and Yoane Wissa in the aftermath of Sunday’s 3-1 win over West Ham
Outgoing Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier has launched a staunch defence of team-mates Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, insisting both players will be a success at St James’ Park next season.
Woltemade joined Newcastle in a club record £69million move from Stuttgart in the summer and made an electric start to life on Tyneside.
The Germany international scored nine goals in his first four months at the club but has struggled to back that up in 2026. After a barren month in front of goal up front, Eddie Howe experimented with Woltemade as a midfielder during an injury crisis in the middle of the park.
There were question marks over whether his style of play fit Newcastle’s system as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation but a recent switch to 4-2-3-1, with Woltemade playing in the number 10 role, has brought the best out of the 24-year-old.
Woltemade grabbed his 11th goal of the season, his first in the Premier League since December, in Sunday’s 3-1 win over West Ham United and when asked about whether the new system is complementing his team-mate, Trippier praised Woltemade for ‘sacrificing himself’ for the team this term.
“I want to go back to Nick because I think there’s been a lot of stuff being said about Nick,” Trippier told Chronicle Live.
“One thing about Nick is that he’s played in the number eight role, he’s played in the number 10 role. He’s sacrificed himself for the team. So I give him huge credit. I couldn’t be happier that he scored today.
“A lot of people don’t realise how hard he works, to be honest. He’s such an unbelievable, talented player. He’s been playing as an eight a lot, as a 10. A lot of people have been saying things about that, but what he does behind the scenes and how much he’s sacrificed himself for other players to play in front, you’ve got to give him credit. I’m delighted for him that he scored.”
When asked if Woltemade has had to show character in the face of criticism this season, Trippier hailed his willingness to do the ‘dirty work’ for his team-mates.
“Great character,” Trippier responded. “Because to come into a club and work as hard as he has done behind the scenes, you guys don’t see it. It’s difficult.
“All you can see is him on the pitch as an eight, as a 10, or whatever it may be. He’s willing to do the ugly stuff. He’s willing to do the ugly stuff for the team.
“I’m just delighted to see him score today. When he’s in them areas, he’ll score goals. For sure, next season, when he has a full pre-season, and all that stuff, he’ll ban goals in front of his football team.”Yoane Wissa also joined Newcastle in the summer for £55million but picked up an injury just days after securing his move from Brentford.
That kept him out of action for three months and he has been playing catch up fitness-wise ever since. As a result, he has failed to live up to the performances of last season that saw him bag 20 goals for the Bees.
Nonetheless, Trippier is confident he, too, will come good next season with a full pre-season, citing Anthony Gordon’s slow start to life at Newcastle before his subsequent success on Tyneside.”Wiss came in with an injury,” Trippier finished. “When you play for this manager, when you play for this team, the intensity is so high. Look at Anthony Gordon when he first came in.
“He got injured straight away because it’s intense. With Wiss, it’s the same. You don’t go scoring 20 goals last season and then coming in here and getting a lot of criticism from the outside.
“He’s been injured. I think he needs another pre-season. Once he does, you’ll see a total difference next season. That’s for sure. He’ll bang in goals. He’s another one that goes under the radar.
“He’ll score goals. You just need to get up to scratch with how the manager wants him to play. It’s demanding. You see it. Next season, he’ll be a huge threat for the football team.”