'He's got it!' - Micah Richards thinks Newcastle have made a 'very, very good' signing, there is one concern though
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Credit: Getty Images / The Rest is Football podcast
Harri Burton
Wed 3 September 2025 11:30, UK
Micah Richards is excited to watch one of Newcastle United’s newest recruits following their arrival during the summer transfer window.
The biggest talking point at St James’ Park over the summer period was potential exits, with Alexander Isak finally joining Liverpool hours before the window slammed shut on Monday, 1 September.
Callum Wilson also joined West Ham on a free transfer, leaving Eddie Howe with limited firepower through the middle, which explains the early move for Anthony Elanga on the wing.
Supporters were forced to wait weeks for new deals to be agreed, but with Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw, and Jacob Ramsey, followed by Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, it could be seen as a successful transfer window.
In fact, Richards believes that the Magpies have struck gold with one of their latest arrivals, having watched him play alongside one of the game’s greats, Thierry Henry.
Credit: Imago
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast (2 September), Richards reacted excitedly to Woltemade’s arrival at St James’ Park, but did raise one concern over the £69million signing, though [BBC Sport].
“I’m telling you now… Woltemade is a player, and I’m not just saying this now.
Thierry [Henry] and I watched him playing for the Under-21s, and again last season,” he said.
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“We were like, ‘Who is this guy?’ and he was only young.
When Newcastle signed him, I said that was good business.
The price tag is the thing that everyone talks about; it’s a lot of money for somebody so young, but potential-wise, he’s very, very good.”
Alan Shearer has already outlined the possible risks of signing Woltemade, but with Newcastle on the search for a new star striker, he did not rule out the possibility of the player being a success this season.
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With Isak notching 62 goals in 109 appearances across three seasons with the Magpies, it was always going to be a tough task to replace the Sweden international this summer.
It became clear very quickly that the striker saw his future at Anfield, refusing to travel on the pre-season tour, and instead jetting out to Spain to train by himself over the last couple of months.
Wissa scored more non-penalty goals at Brentford than Isak did for Newcastle last season, which has filled many at St James’ Park with hope for the 2025/26 campaign.
Supporters, however, need these new players to hit the ground running once the international break finishes, with the Magpies currently sitting 17th in the Premier League table.
Howe’s side are still searching for their first win of the season, drawing with Leeds United and Aston Villa, draws which sandwiched a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Goals have been a huge issue so far, and if Woltemade and Wissa’s partnership can help address that quickly this summer, the club will feel that the duo were worth spending every penny.