Woltemade's Next Move: Nagelsmann's Plan to Unlock Newcastle Striker

Nagelsmann says Woltemade's placement is key to success

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Nick Woltemade needs a position change to revive his Newcastle career. Read more.

Woltemade's versatility is being wasted, says Nagelsmann, as he pushes for a more attacking role...

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade is struggling because he's being played out of position. Woltemade, Newcastle's record signing from Stuttgart, scored in four of his first five Premier League games but has only managed three goals in his past 21 league matches, with his last goal coming in December.

Nagelsmann thinks Woltemade's versatility is being misused, and he's not being deployed in front of goal. “If he's 80 metres away from goal, I don't think British journalists can expect him to score 20 goals, he's simply too far away,” Nagelsmann said. He wants Woltemade to play closer to goal, around 30 metres, to make him more effective.

Woltemade has four goals in eight games for Germany, and Nagelsmann is optimistic about his future, saying he needs time to develop. “He's a young player who needs time to develop, as you can see now in Newcastle,” Nagelsmann added.

Nagelsmann highlighted Woltemade's versatility, saying the striker isn't always playing up front. “He's not just a traditional center-forward,” Nagelsmann said, hinting at different roles for Woltemade in the team.

“Eddie Howe has obviously decided - without me knowing any more details - to simply swap his strikers. And that's perfectly within his rights.”

“And lately, he's simply - and this is just my opinion - played very deep. When he's playing as a double pivot, Nick Woltemade has quite a long way to go to get a goal.

“He's not exactly a classic counter-attacking striker who runs at 36km/h, leaving opponents in his wake. If he's 80 metres away from goal, I don't think British journalists can expect him to score 20 goals, he's simply too far away.”

Nagelsmann plans to play Woltemade in a more attacking role, utilizing his 1.98m frame to make an impact. With four goals in eight caps for Germany, he's confident Woltemade can be a game-changer up front. 

“If we're playing 80 metres from goal, he won't play. I'll try to play him closer, around 30 metres from goal. Then he'll be dangerous and do a lot of things well.”

Nagelsmann's optimistic about Woltemade's adaptability, saying he'll rise to Newcastle and Premier League challenges. He's gone from Werder Bremen benchwarmer to Germany's lead striker in just a year, so he's definitely on the rise.

“He's undoubtedly having a tough time in Newcastle, but that's also normal,” Nagelsmann said, adding “new culture, new league, new language.

“He also needed time in Stuttgart.”

Will he finally get his chance to shine?