Intriguing analysis of the strikers Premier League clubs signed this summer, including Alexander Isak and Nick Woltemade.
How they are doing and a ‘speculative’ figure for each of them.
The analysis and assessment comes from Opta Analyst.
A good insight into these summer acquisitions.
Especially the reporting about Nick Woltemade.
All reviews are below, plus some articles about Alexander Isak and Nick Woltemade.
The Opta analyst reporting:
The summer transfer window was a centre-forward merry-go-round. Two months into the 2025-2026 Premier League season, we assess how the big-money strikers are faring and give each a speculative grade.
Alexander Isak – Liverpool (Grade: C-)
When assessing Alexander Isak’s introduction to Liverpool, it is obviously impossible to ignore the fact that he did not have the smoothest ending at Newcastle, which went hand in hand with the lack of proper preparation.
Considering Isak has only played more than 45 minutes three times this season, it would be a bit unfair to read too much into his starts at this point. Nevertheless, considering he cost around £150 million, he will be expected to pick up speed quickly after this international breakthrough.
When you are as good and precious as he is, patience is not necessarily something you can count on for long.
Viktor Root – Arsenal (Grade: C)
Hugo Ekitiké – Liverpool (Grade: B+)
João Pedro – Chelsea (Grade: B-)
Benjamin Sesko – Manchester United (class: C)
Nick Woltemade – Newcastle United (Grade: A)
‘Despite enjoying a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga last season, Nick Woltemade arrived in the Premier League as something unknown to Newcastle fans.
He was given a thankless task: replacing Alexander Isak, who had developed into one of the world’s best and most versatile centre-forwards at Newcastle before joining Liverpool.
But Woltemade has quickly shown promising signs in his adjustment to the Premier League.
He’s probably helped by being such a different player than Isak. No one compares the two directly as they look nothing alike, leaving Newcastle fans to judge him on his own merits. And they like what they see.
It’s not just what he offers in the opposition’s box. Woltemade has impressed with his intricate link-up play, hold-up qualities and ability to bring others into the group, all of which are helping Newcastle build up.
Only three nominal strikers – all of whom have logged more minutes – in the Premier League have attempted more layoffs (defined as a player putting the ball into a teammate’s path) than him this season (11). And within the same group, Woltemade ranks tied for sixth in involvement in unique shot-ending sequences (4).
Those numbers may not sound groundbreaking, but they do give an idea of how he operates and what he can offer Newcastle in general.
There are of course more striking figures for a centre-forward. The biggest is four goals in seven games in all competitions, including three in four Premier League games.
Admittedly, he knew little about his ‘try’ against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League when he deflected Sandro Tonali’s shot, and was his most recent penalty (albeit one of the best you’re likely to see). But the other two will have given Newcastle fans plenty of encouragement.
After all, Woltemade’s ability in the air – despite his size – was largely downplayed before his arrival, especially as his greatest strengths lie elsewhere. But he opened his account with a towering header against Wolves, pushing Gabriel Magalhães aside before nodding home in the defeat to Arsenal.
His silky footwork and handling of battle with centre-backs suggest he is ready to flourish in the Premier League; Woltemade has had a promising start.’
#Opta #analysts #assess #Alexander #Isak #Nick #Woltemade #summer #striker #signings #Intriguing