Nick Woltemade vs Benjamin Sesko: Comparing Newcastle’s record striker and Man United’s new signing

Nick Woltemade and Benjamin Sesko were two of the best young strikers in the Bundesliga last season, and the pair will now ply their trade in the Premier League this season.Sesko has already joined Manchester United , while Woltemade just completed a move to Newcastle for a fee worth up to £69 million, making him the Magpies’ record signing.United swooped for the Slovenian due to their persistent struggles in front of goal. They consider him an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Sesko has drawn comparisons with Manchester City star Erling Haaland due to his physicality, aerial prowess and great technique – qualities that could make him thrive in the Premier League.Woltemade is the potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who is pushing for a move to Liverpool. Nicknamed ‘WolteMessi’, the Germany international is known for incredible footwork, superb control and athleticism, making a good fit for the English top-flight.The pair enjoyed a brilliant campaign last term. Sesko provided 13 goals and five assists in 33 league games while Woltemade registered 12 goals and two assists in 28 matches. However, the underlying numbers suggest the German was more well-rounded.Woltemade’s movement and finishing were better than Sesko’s. He ranked in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals and 78th percentile non-penalty expected goals, while Sesko was placed in the 73rd and 41st percentile for both metrics.In addition, Woltemade converted 95 percent of his chances while his Slovenian counterparts converted 70 percent of his.Woltemade is also better in possession than the new United signing, ranking in the 80th percentile for expected assists and winning 93 percent of his offensive duels. By contrast, Sesko was in the 47th percentile for expected assists and won just 37 percent of his offensive duels.The new Newcastle striker’s work rate was more impressive than Sesko’s. He made more tackles and won more duels than the Man United no.30. However, the latter edged him in aerial duels.While Woltemade appears to be a better striker than Sesko, whether he will outshine the Slovenian international in the Premier League remains to be seen. Stats from datamb.football & fbref.com