Better than Peter Crouch? Former Newcastle and Liverpool star makes huge claim about Premier League striker after impressing in England

Woltemade’s arrival at Newcastle United has sparked excitement on Tyneside — and for good reason. The towering 6ft 6in German forward has made a blistering start to life in England, scoring four goals in his first five Premier League appearances. Across all competitions, he has found the net five times in nine matches, instantly establishing himself as a key attacking force under Eddie Howe.

Woltemade’s combination of technical flair and physicality has made him a nightmare for defenders, showing that he offers far more than just height in the box. The 22-year-old’s aerial presence has been evident too, winning seven duels in the air with an average of 1.59 aerial duels won per 90 minutes in the Premier League game so far. His early adaptation to the pace and intensity of the Premier League has quickly validated Newcastle’s decision to spend big on his signature.

Speaking to ESports News UK, Dietmar Hamann drew a striking comparison between Woltemade and one of English football’s most iconic target men.

“Nick Woltemade is probably a bit quicker than Crouchy and very hard to play against thanks to his height — he flicks balls on and is probably a better header of the ball than Crouch. He has the world at his feet. He was in the third tier just two or three years ago, got promoted, went back to Werder Bremen, found it hard there, then had six great months.”

“He wasn’t selected for the Champions League squad by Stuttgart last season, he really came up and went from strength to strength within a short space of time, from third-choice striker to number one within weeks. Now, he’s going to Newcastle for what, 80 million? It’s astonishing how level-headed he’s stayed because it’s not easy. A lot has happened to the lad. Playing for Germany, he’s the number one striker for Germany at the moment.”

“So a lot has happened to him in the last 18 months, but as I said, he takes it in his stride. He’s a very balanced character, which I think does help.”

While the comparison to Crouch may seem ambitious, the numbers paint an intriguing picture of two very different strikers. The England international, who stood at 6ft 7in, was the Premier League’s ultimate aerial threat, scoring a joint-record 47 headed goals in his 468 appearances. He consistently dominated aerial duels, recording a success rate of nearly 68% at his peak and winning more than five duels per 90 minutes.

Woltemade, at 6ft 5in, uses his height differently — as a complement to his technical, creative game rather than as his primary weapon. His current Premier League stats show a modest aerial duel success rate of around 32%, indicating that while he is tall, he is more than just a target man. 

This makes Hamann’s claim less about direct statistical superiority and more about potential and style. While Crouch was built for crosses and flick-ons, Woltemade’s balance between size, speed, and skill may give him the tools to evolve into a more complete all-round striker.

For now, Woltemade’s focus will be on maintaining his fine form as Newcastle continue their domestic and European campaigns. His early-season performances have earned him not just Hamann’s praise but also growing recognition from fans who see him as a future Premier League star.

With four league goals already to his name and a Champions League run underway, expectations around St. James’ Park are only rising. The German will now be in action when the Magpies take on Fulham before they face off against high-flying Tottenham in the Carabao Cup Round Four.