Defiant Nick Woltemade insists he can handle criticism after difficult first season at Newcastle
Newcastle United's record signing, Nick Woltemade, endured a rollercoaster first year on Tyneside.
After joining the Magpies from VfB Stuttgart in the summer, Nick Woltemade made a lightning-quick start to life at Newcastle, scoring four goals in five games and announcing himself on the Premier League stage in style.
Unfortunately, as Newcastle struggled as a collective, Woltemade's form soon faded along with fans' enthusiasm for the Premier League season.
Eddie Howe was forced to tinker with Woltemade's position and standing in the squad to try and get the best out of his £69m signing. It all led to some mixed results and even criticism from Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann - although the irony of Nagelsmann deploying Woltemade in a similar role for Germany recently hasn't been lost on Newcastle fans.
Nick Woltemade is taking the rough with the smooth
Speaking to Sachsische Zeitung (via Sport Witness), Nick Woltemade has insisted he can handle the criticism after a tricky season and still backs himself to deliver.
“The goals have given me a lot of confidence. I know the part I played in our (Germany’s) successful qualification, and I’ve shown what I’m capable of at this level.
“But I was always aware that there might be other phases as well. That’s exactly what happened when I joined Newcastle and scored a lot of goals at first. Then there are times when things don’t quite click. That doesn’t rattle me; I can handle it.
“All in all, the last year has been a mad one for me. It’s changed my life. When I was standing on the pitch with the whole team before the match against Curaçao and we were singing the national anthem, I was grinning from ear to ear. It’s such a huge and wonderful thing to be part of the biggest stage in football.”
Nick Woltemade has looked to Harry Kane for inspiration
Woltemade was an unused substitute in Germany's opening game, a 7-1 demolition of Curacao, but the 6'6" striker is ready to play whatever role is required to help his country at the World Cup and has looked to England's Harry Kane for inspiration.
“I feel comfortable playing in a central role, whether on my own up front, as part of a strike partnership or a line behind the strikers.
“It doesn’t really matter whether that’s a centre-forward or whatever you call it. I think football has changed. It’s become more versatile. Even Harry Kane isn’t a classic centre-forward.
“I watched England’s 4–2 win against Croatia in their first World Cup match. Kane’s a goalscorer, of course, but he’s not a classic centre-forward either. I can’t think of anyone at the top level who fits that profile quite so well. To be honest, that type of player doesn’t really exist anymore.”
At times, Harry Kane looked like he was playing centre-back for England. We are glad that Big Nick is happy to play a more unorthodox role, but we hope he doesn't go full Harry Kane. We still want him at the right end of the pitch to do his job.
Germany take on Ivory Coast tonight at 9pm. Fingers crossed Woltemade and maybe even Malick Thiaw get a run out.
