Sky Sports release brilliant Woltemade and Thiaw interview - Watch here
Making the jump from European football to the Premier League is a difficult task for most players. Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade aren’t like most players, though.
The former AC Milan defender and Stuttgart striker have both enjoyed fantastic starts to life on Tyneside, making a big impact at both ends of the pitch and appearing well-liked in the dressing room.
The German duo have also developed a strong friendship off the pitch, which both credit with helping them adapt to their new lives in the North East.
And in a brilliant new interview with Sky Sports, Thiaw and Woltemade talk about how easy it has been to get settled in Newcastle, as well as their own admiration for the club and St James’ Park faithful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw77KMwl2x0
On life in the North East
When asked about adapting to life in Newcastle, both Thiaw and Woltemade couldn’t speak highly enough about just how content each of them is with their current situation.
Thiaw: “I think we’ve both settled in really well. I love it here, my family love it here. The people are generous, really kind, really nice people. Everyone loves Newcastle. Everybody lives for this club. I couldn’t ask for more to be honest.”
Woltemade: “It’s the first time for me that I’ve played in a different country and a different league, but yeah I’m enjoying it a lot. I like this club, I like the people here, and feels already that I’ve been here for a longer time.
“Of course, we’re two Germans, we can talk in our own language which makes it easier on the pitch and even in private life. I think we have a really good friendship, we talk about a lot of things, but we also help in a lot of ways even on the pitch: we’re working well together.”
On St James’ Park
Stepping into the role of starting striker and centre back was never going to be an easy task, but the duo have done so effortlessly, and the locals have taken such a liking to both Woltemade and Thiaw because of it.
Discussing the atmosphere around the club and what it's like to play at St James' Park, they said:
Woltemade: “To be honest, you hear about a lot of things, but it just feels really good from the first time in the situation to see it and listen to it (the crowd).
“Every game here you get goosebumps, and like I said we’ve never been players to try and get on the side of the fans, but we’re both doing it now, we get into it!”
Thiaw: “I think we’re both doing quite well, but of course we have certain qualities, but there’s also what the club is giving you outside the pitch is also really really important, as well as the fans. It’s a big mention to mention them, it’s really important what they’re doing.”
Woltemade: “I think for me one of the most important things was to have them feel welcoming, and I feel like I’m home. And I think the fans helped us out, the city helped us, the gaffer, the team, everyone.
“When I had my first day when I came here, I felt okay, the people want to work with me and the people are happy that I’m here.”
On desire to win trophies
Both Thiaw and Woltemade enjoyed cup success last year with their old clubs, but now they’re here at Newcastle, they want to help us enjoy even more success after our victory in the Carabao Cup back in March.
Thiaw: “I was already following Newcastle for some time because of Sandro (Tonali), but because there was some interest in me already. I was following last season, especially the win in the Carabao Cup, and I seen the pictures and how they celebrated: amazing, wow, incredible to be honest.
“Yeah so I hope there’s much more to come. I hope that we’re both involved, and we can enjoy our title defence and hopefully win more trophies.”
Woltemade: “I really like this pressure to win trophies and stuff. I think the pictures we saw when they won the Carabao Cup, I think these are pictures that you’re working for as a player to see again.
“That’s why I think this is a point for us: we want to work for this and we see the pictures in real life. I think it’s such a nice club and I’m feeling really good already.”
