Nick Woltemade has told his critics that they don’t watch Newcastle United games.
The German striker is the Toon’s record signing after joining from Stuttgart last summer in a £69million deal to replace Alexander Isak.
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Woltemade scored on his Premier League debut and very quickly reached seven top-flight goals.
But he hasn’t scored in the league since December and has one goal in the FA Cup in 2026.
For a striker, this is concerning, but a lot of it can be explained by where Eddie Howe is deploying him.
With Bruno Guimaraes injured, Howe has moved Woltemade into a left-sided number eight role in his 4-3-3 system, deploying Anthony Gordon as the club’s striker.
As a result, Woltemade has struggled, and was even named the worst signing in Premier League history by talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham.
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney have also criticised the German international, but Woltemade has now fired back.
Speaking to German media following international duty with his country, he said: “If someone claims I’m in a slump, I’d argue this person doesn’t watch many Newcastle games.
“I know people associate me with goals, but you can’t compare a striker’s tally with that of a midfielder playing 50, 60, 70 metres from the opponent’s goal.
“I’m currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season.
“Right now, I should be judged by how I handle duels or secure space.
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“Of course, I score far fewer goals now. But I’m completely relaxed. I don’t mind expanding my repertoire.
“And I’m convinced that, in the long run, it will make me stronger if I learn to navigate phases like this.”
Worst signing in PL history?
On a recent edition of the Fiery Fridays podcast, talkSPORT legend Durham made the startling claim that Woltemade is the worst signing in Premier League history.
He said: “Nick Woltemade, I am going to say this – is the worst signing in Premier League history.
“This isn’t anything against him, it isn’t personal – I hear he’s a very good teammate.
“But £65-70million for one of those, and we’ve got to delve deeper.
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“I was in Newcastle the other night for the Qarabag game, the tie was done, so it was a chance for players to shine, and it was a night Newcastle had a free hit. Their expensive striker needs goals, and he starts in central midfield.
“Now, this is possibly because he doesn’t trust him up front. He didn’t play well in central midfield. Eddie Howe said he didn’t play well in central midfield, saying it is the least he’s affected the game since he arrived at the club.
“Now, on the talkSPORT YouTube channel, there is a programme called Inside The Toon, and it’s all things Newcastle United, and Jack Cunningham is one of the contributors.
“He said, ‘Newcastle should build the team around Woltemade’. Well, if Newcastle want to go down to the Championship that might be a brilliant idea. I do wonder what planet this guy is on.
“Is he a nine? No. One goal in 18 games is not a nine. Is he a midfielder? No, definitely not.
“Is he a ten? Have a look at the number tens around the Premier League. Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Bruno Fernandes. Morgan Gibbs-White etc.
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“There are better number tens in the Championship than Woltemade. Two Premier League assists all season, and when did Newcastle play with a ten? They aren’t going to rip up that three-man midfield to put Woltemade at ten.
“Let’s get this right. He is a footballer, he’s got talent. But he has not got a place in the Newcastle United team, and I think that is the fundamental flaw here.
“It’s not about him as a person, it’s not about him as a player even. But it’s the way Newcastle play, the fact they needed to replace Isak, Howe is putting him all over the park trying to find a place for him.
“£70m and he hasn’t even got a place in the team? That’s your big signing. That’s a joke signing. So pound-for-pound, for what a team needed and what he brings, I make Woltemade the worst-ever Premier League signing.”
Durham’s bold verdict was refuted by those on the Inside the Toon panel, with Magpies content creator Clinton Forde replying: “He hasn’t even been Newcastle’s worst signing this season, it makes no sense to me.
“Does he actually watch football? That is probably the worst football hot take of all time. How about that Adrian?
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“If you’ve watched Newcastle United you could have gone for [Yoane] Wissa… cool, have that one.
“[Anthony] Elanga… have that one. [Jacob] Ramsey…have that one.
“But Woltemade who’s scored ten goals? Did you not see the little flick he did against Brighton? Did you not see the penalty he had against Nottingham Forest?
“He’s got four assists. His goals (total) is similar to [Benjamin] Sesko, Joao Pedro and [Hugo] Ekitike.
“So how can he say he’s the worst of all time? Absolute stinker.”
Misused
Germany’s national team manager also defended Woltemade recently, with Julian Nagelsmann referencing the fact Howe was playing the forward in midfield.
He then called up Woltemade for the March international break and started him as the number nine.
Woltemade provided an assist for a goal that was ruled out for offside and hit the crossbar in a performance that saw him get much closer to goal.
