‘I’m not happy’ - Newcastle United’s £69m striker makes blunt admission after Germany goal
Nick Woltemade scored his first senior goal for Germany against Northern Ireland earlier this week.
Nick Woltemade has admitted he is not content with his start to life at international level.
Newcastle United paid a club-record £69million to sign one of Germany's brightest talents over the summer. Woltemade had shone at the under-21s Euros - where he finished as top scorer - and was fresh off earning his first senior call-up.
The 23-year-old was tasked with replacing Alexander Isak, who made the British record move to Liverpool days later. Less than two months after Woltemade’s arrival, Toon fans are already asking “Alexander who?” given his explosive start in black-and-white stripes.
Nick Woltemade’s flying start
Woltemade has bagged four goals in five starts for the Magpies. His job has been made harder due to Yoane Wissa - the man brought in to add Premier League experience to the attack - being sidelined through injury.
As mentioned, Woltemade’s fruitful opening moment for Newcastle has silenced talk around Isak. The former Toon striker has endured a tough time in his first six weeks as a Liverpool player.
Woltemade went flying into the international break given his new-found cult-hero status at St James’ Park. And on his fifth game for Germany, he netted for the first time in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.
Nick Woltemade honest about Germany
Speaking post-match, Woltemade was refreshingly honest about his international career so far. He told The Athletic: “It was very important for me to score my first international goal today. Personally, I’m not happy so far with my performances for Germany. It’s actually fitting that I scored with my shoulder. It was not a good game, but you have to win them too.
“I’ve played for many youth national teams and to score now for the highest national team, it’s great. Also, especially because the last few games here weren’t exactly easy for me, maybe. That’s why I’m very happy that I was finally able to contribute a goal.
“It’s definitely more comfortable. For the media, it’s always quite a pleasant topic when a striker hasn’t scored a goal. For the player, not so much - especially as a striker. That’s why, honestly, I didn’t concern myself with it that much.
“Of course, I noticed that it was coming a bit from the outside, but that’s the life of a striker. It's often like that. That’s why it always feels good when the ball is finally in the net.”
‘I feel good’ - Nick Woltemade
Speaking to the BBC after Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest last weekend, Woltemade opened up about how his new manager has helped him settle at the club. He said: “He (Howe) makes me feel good. I have one-on-one conversations with him every day. They are mostly about topics that have nothing to do with football. Like my move, or how my family is doing.
“It is a great working culture here. When you score as a striker on the pitch the feeling is really good. But also outside (of football), I feel really good. The gaffer is such a good gaffer. I’ve only been here for four weeks but I feel such a good connection.”