Nick Woltemade is not the answer - Fabrizio Ravanelli
Nick Woltemade has already found himself under the spotlight in Turin following his season-long loan move from Newcastle United to Juventus.
The 6ft 6” German is being given the chance to impress at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, but former Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has questioned whether Woltemade is the right profile to lead the line.
Ravanelli questions Woltemade’s credentials
Ravanelli, who won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996, believes Woltemade is better suited to a supporting role rather than being an out-and-out centre-forward.
“He is not an out-and-out centre-forward, because when you play there you have to attack the near post well, be strong in the air and have a nose for goal, even for tap-ins
“He looks a bit better dropping off, more of a support striker. I do not think he is the profile who can take them to the next level.
“He will certainly be useful for Spalletti, but I think Juventus needed more of a player who attacks the space and is good in the air, given they have so many players who get to the byline. Having an Osimhen would have been ideal.”
Woltemade has made three appearances for Juventus so far this season, with 48 Serie A minutes under his belt, after making his debut from the bench against AC Milan.
Does Ravanelli have a point?
There is certainly an interesting debate to be had here.
Big Nick is 6ft 6”, but he doesn’t play like your stereotypical big man. He doesn’t constantly attack crosses, dominate defenders in the air or live off six-yard-box tap-ins.
Instead, he likes to drop deeper, get involved in the build-up and use his technical ability to bring others into play; something Ravanelli himself acknowledges when describing him as more of a supporting striker.
That doesn’t necessarily make him a poor centre-forward, though. It simply makes him a different type of one.
Woltemade’s spell at Stuttgart showed that he can contribute goals without relying on the traditional centre-forward qualities Ravanelli is looking for, while his height remains an obvious physical asset if he can develop the aerial side of his game further.
Woltemade is getting the opportunity to test himself at Juventus, and if he can adapt his game while continuing to produce the goals and assists that made Newcastle sign him in the first place, his time in Italy could see him return a better player and, at the very least, protect his value.
