Home / Football / Premier League News Germany boss Nagelsmann sends clear message on Woltemade amid Newcastle struggles The Magpies' record signing is coming in for criticism. Written by Nicholas McGee Last Update: March 2, 2026 12:55:29 pm GMT 5 min read Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has faith in Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade despite his well-documented recent struggles for form. Woltemade, who joined Newcastle as their club-record signing for a �69million fee in August, made a flying start to life with the Magpies, scoring six goals in his first 11 games for the club. However, his form has tailed off in recent months. Though he found the net in last months FA Cup win over Aston Villa, Woltemade has not scored in the Premier League since a brace in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on December 20.Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has struggled to find a way to accommodate Woltemade into his set-up, recently moving him back into a deep role in the midfield, with Anthony Gordon playing up front as a false nine.Prior to Saturdays 3-2 defeat to Everton, there was evidence that the switch was having the desired effect, with Newcastle enjoying an upturn in results. But Woltemade touched the ball just 14 times before being subsituted in a damaging defeat to the Toffees, with Newcastle now 13th in the table as their hopes of playing in Europe again next season look increasingly slim.Woltemade received pointed criticism from Newcastles club record goalscorer Alan Shearer in the aftermath of that game. However, he retains the support of his national team coach.The former Stuttgart man has established himself as Germanys first-choice striker, and Nagelsmann stressed that patience is the best approach with Woltemade, who had limited experience of top-flight football with Werder Bremen and Stuttgart before his high-profile switch.Nagelsmann told Kicker: AtStuttgart, he wasnt even in the Champions League squad during the first half of last season, then he played a good second half of the season with seven goals. Thats not a criticism of Nick. Hes a young player who needs time to develop, as we can now see at Newcastle.Thats why I dont expect him to score 15 goals at Newcastle [this season]. I told him just last week to stay relaxed. We have faith in him.Nagelsmann echoes Newcastle boss on WoltemadeFor all the criticism of Woltemade in recent weeks, there have been positives. After scoring the third goal in the 3-1 win at Villa Park, he had a hand in Gordons third of four in the 6-1 demolition of Qarabag in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round tie, which came after he won possession with his press from the restart after Gordon made it 3-0.Woltemade played a lofted pass through to Gordon, who was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, in the first half of Newcastles 2-1 defeat to Manchester City last month, and was influential in the 3-2 second-leg win over Qarabag.The 23-year-old played key passes for each of Newcastles first two goals in that game and would have had a wondrous assist for Jacob Murphy had the winger not horribly missed after being sent through one-on-one.It is perhaps no surprise that some of Woltemades recent best work has come in the Champions League, where he has had more time and space to operate on the ball. When challenged physically, Woltemade does often look lightweight for a man of his size. Indeed, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe recognises that it is in the physical side of the game where Woltemade needs the most work.Remarks made ahead of the Everton game echo those of Nagelsmann, with Howe indicating his belief that Woltemade still needs time to adapt to the rigours of the English top flight.Because of Champions League and domestic cup commitments, with Newcastle having progressed to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup before seeing their trophy defence ended by City, they have rarely had a free week in which to train.Asked what the focus would be with Woltemade had he enjoyed the luxury of that training time, Howe replied: I think the focus longer term would be on his development and transitioning into the Premier League because I still feel theres a physical adaptation thats taking place. If we had free training weeks wed be really pushing him physically and in the intensity of his actions. The Premier League is the quickest league in the world statistically, by some distance.I think everything then in your training has to mirror that. So I still feel theres a lot of growth in him that we havent been able to unlock.In terms of his playing style, I dont think wed be changing that at all. We love his style. The move he did for Jacob Murphys chance on Tuesday was outstanding and I think only Nick could deliver that. Hes put through Murph one-on-one, and that sort of typifies his best work [which] comes from in between the lines, between the opponents midfield and back four. Whether hes playing as a nine, that would be the same, whether hes playing as a 10/8 that would be the same. It would be a continuation of that work.The problem for Howe and for Newcastle is that, given the outlay they spent on Woltemade in an effort to replace Alexander Isak, they have not had the opportunity to be patient with their club-record signing. As such, there is unlikely to be a let-up in the scrutiny on Woltemade when Newcastle host Manchester United on Wednesday. Topics: Germany National Football Team Newcastle United F.C. Premier League Follow us: Nicholas McGee Nicholas is a freelance sports journalist with significant experience covering a wide variety of sports. He has previously worked for Stats Perform and was most recently employed as San Francisco 49ers beat writer for A to Z Sports. He regularly contributes to Gridiron magazine and has also had NFL work featured in The Times and The Mirror. Read more from Nicholas McGee
