.png)
Wayne Rooney Questions Newcastle’s Use of Woltemade in Deeper Role
- Chris "The American Mag"
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Wayne Rooney believes Newcastle United may be making a mistake in the way they are deploying Woltemade, suggesting that playing him deeper is slowing his development rather than helping it.
Speaking about the forward’s role, Rooney made it clear that he feels the player’s best position remains up front, not as a number eight or in a withdrawn role.
“Yeah, it’s so far because I think as a number nine, he hasn’t quite hit the heights which I’m sure the Newcastle fans would have wanted to see,” Rooney said. “It’s a tough job to play Newcastle’s number nine, obviously with the history of that shirt. It’s a big role to play.”
Newcastle’s number nine shirt carries weight. From Alan Shearer to other iconic strikers, expectations are always high. Woltemade stepped into that spotlight knowing the scrutiny would follow.
However, Rooney believes shifting him away from that responsibility has not solved the issue.
“I think dropping him deeper, I don’t think it’s helped him,” Rooney continued. “From what he’s said and how he’s talked, he wants to play a little bit deeper. He likes to get on the ball, but I just don’t think for me he’s definitely not a number eight. And I just don’t think he’s mobile enough to be a number ten.”
It is a strong assessment. Rooney is essentially arguing that Newcastle are trying to fit Woltemade into a role that does not naturally suit his attributes. In his view, the player lacks the mobility for a ten and the all round midfield profile to operate as an eight.
That leaves the question of whether Newcastle should commit to him as a central striker and allow him to grow into the role rather than adjusting his position.
Rooney did acknowledge that results have improved with Woltemade operating deeper.
“Eddie Howe seems to like him playing in that deeper role, and since he has been there, you’ve picked up results,” he added.
That is the counter argument. Newcastle’s recent performances and points return suggest Howe’s tactical adjustment has had some success. The team structure may benefit from Woltemade’s link up play and ability to bring others into the game.
But Rooney’s concern is focused on long term development. Is Newcastle protecting the player or limiting him? Is he being repositioned to serve the system rather than being developed as the main striker?
For now, Howe appears comfortable with the balance he has found. Results buy time and reduce pressure. Yet Rooney’s comments will spark debate among supporters about whether Woltemade’s future lies leading the line or adapting into something else entirely.
It is a tactical question that may define how his Newcastle career unfolds.
Comments