Nick Woltemade has been an unused substitute for Germany’s opening two clashes at the World Cup.

Nick Woltemade is staying calm despite being an unused substitute in Germany’s opening two World Cup fixtures.

The 24-year-old also described his debut season at Newcastle United as “mad” as he aims to make an impact in North America. Julian Nagelsmann - who has fired shots at Eddie Howe for playing Woltemade in midfield - preferred Kai Havertz in midfield for Germany’s first game.

He scored, with in-form striker Deniz Undav coming off the bench to grab a goal and two assists. Woltemade watched from the sidelines again as Undav produced the goods in the second half to put Ivory Coast to the sword last night.

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‘Doesn’t rattle me’ - Nick Woltemade

Woltemade scored four goals in qualification - including the winner against Northern Ireland that sent his nation to the World Cup. Speaking ahead of the Ivory Coast clash, the £64million man insisted he is relaxed about his potential game time.

“The goals have given me a lot of confidence,” Woltemade said. “I know the part I played in our (Germany’s) successful qualification, and I’ve shown what I’m capable of at this level. But I was always aware that there might be other phases as well.

“That’s exactly what happened when I joined Newcastle and scored a lot of goals at first. Then there are times when things don’t quite click. That doesn’t rattle me. I can handle it. All in all, the last year has been a mad one for me. It’s changed my life.

“When I was standing on the pitch with the whole team before the match against Curacao and we were singing the national anthem, I was grinning from ear to ear. It’s such a huge and wonderful thing to be part of the biggest stage in football.”

Nick Woltemade name-checks Harry Kane

Woltemade is likely tired of questions about his changing role for club and country. As mentioned, Newcastle converted the 6ft 6in striker into a midfielder midway through last season.

He has name-checked England captain Harry Kane when discussing the attributes of a modern-day centre-forward. He added: “I feel comfortable playing in a central role, whether on my own up front, as part of a strike partnership or a line behind the strikers.

“It doesn’t really matter whether that’s a centre-forward or whatever you call it. I think football has changed. It’s become more versatile. Even Harry Kane isn’t a classic centre-forward.

“I watched England’s 4–2 win against Croatia in their first World Cup match. Kane’s a goalscorer, of course, but he’s not a classic centre-forward either. I can’t think of anyone at the top level who fits that profile quite so well. To be honest, that type of player doesn’t really exist anymore.”

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