Nick Woltemade’s massive £69 million move to Newcastle continues to divide opinion in Germany, with Julian Nagelsmann praising the striker’s start while warning he still has “steps to take.” The national coach’s remarks arrive amid fierce criticism from Bayern legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who labelled Newcastle “idiots” for meeting Stuttgart’s lofty asking price.
Woltemade earns praise from national team boss
German national team manager Nagelsmann has given his verdict on starlet Woltemade’s Premier League start following his £69m ($93m) move to Newcastle. The German striker, who arrived from Stuttgart on deadline day as Alexander Isak’s replacement, has scored twice in his opening three league games, including a powerful header in the narrow 2-1 defeat against Arsenal. Nagelsmann admitted he was encouraged by the early signs but stressed the need for patience with a striker carrying such a hefty price tag.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportNagelsmann's verdrict on Woltemade amid criticism
The Germany boss was both complimentary and critical in his assessment. “Sure, he’s scored two headers now, which was also good and important for him. I think it’s important that you make a good impression when you have such a price tag,” Nagelsmann explained. While praising Woltemade’s instinct in front of goal, the coach underlined that the striker must still integrate fully into Eddie Howe’s system. “He still has a few steps to take within the team. He still needs to find his perfect fit,” he added.
Nagelsmann’s comments come in the backdrop of stinging criticism from Bayern legend Rummenigge, who mocked Newcastle’s decision to pay Stuttgart’s full asking price. “I can only congratulate those in Stuttgart for finding, I’ll use quotation marks here, an idiot who paid that much money. Because we certainly wouldn’t have done that in Munich,” he said. The supervisory board member’s jibe followed Bayern’s failed attempts to sign Woltemade, with three bids rejected before Newcastle swooped. Their frustration was amplified by the loss of Jamal Musiala to injury, a situation that had intensified Bayern’s search for attacking depth.
Woltemade's rapid rise after the U21 Euro
The 23-year-old striker has quickly become one of the Bundesliga’s most high-profile exports. After scoring 17 goals in 33 appearances for Stuttgart last season and finishing as the top scorer at the European Under-21 Championships, Woltemade was always likely to attract Premier League attention. Newcastle eventually broke their club-record fee to secure him, a move influenced by the late departure of Isak to Liverpool for £125m. Although his transfer fee raised eyebrows in Germany, his immediate impact on Tyneside, two goals in three games, suggests he has the tools to justify the investment.
Getty Images SportNewcastle face tough Champions League road ahead
Newcastle’s focus now shifts to the Champions League, where Eddie Howe’s side face Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise following narrow defeats to Barcelona and Arsenal. The Magpies have struggled with late collapses but see Woltemade as a crucial figure to turn performances into results. For Germany, Nagelsmann’s cautious optimism indicates Woltemade will remain in contention for international call-ups, provided he develops chemistry within Newcastle’s setup.
