Nick Woltemade was in attendance for the 0-0 draw between Newcastle United and Leeds United, the second time his new side have fired a blank this campaign. It will be down to him to make magic happen in the final third, and he hopes to translate the “confidence” from the new year to England.
‘Technique and creativity is my best skill’
Alexander Isak has hit more than 20 Premier League goals in the last two campaigns and also notched the clincher in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. But he is not a predatory poacher.
The Swedish striker is agile with the ball at his feet for a man of his height, can link well with his back to the goal, and has sharp movement to stretch defences. The finishing is the final piece of an all-round package, and Woltemade also sees himself as someone whose game is more than goals.
“I'm no typical 6’6” guy. I really like to dribble. I like to have the ball in my feet, I like to combine with my teammates and play football. I like to be creative with my technique and my playing style.”
It is likely that during the recruitment stage, Isak and Hugo Ekitiké would have stood out for their qualities on the ball, given their height. Woltemade knows that he is not a typical profile for his frame.
“Is it's not so often to have a guy like this in this height to play like this. I guess it's similar to small players like not like me. I think my technique and my creativity is my most important, my best skill.”
But goals are the currency that strikers will be judged by. Woltemade only scored twice in the **Bundesliga**for Werder Bremen in the 2023/24 season. As a replacement for Serhou Guirassy, he needed to step up the output last term if **Stuttgart**were not going to dip drastically down the table.
He took time, but the new year saw Woltemade hit his stride. He finished the season with 12 goals in the Bundesliga and five more in the **DFB Pokal**on the way to the trophy. The German then made his debut for his nation at the senior level and was the top scorer in the Under-21 Euros with six strikes.
“I got a lot of confidence last year. I won titles. I played for the national team. I had a really good Under-21 European Championship with my Germany teammates. It gave me a lot of confidence.”
‘There is always pressure’
Until now, Woltemade has excelled at club level as a facilitator in a front two. Someone like **Joshua Zirkzee**is not a dissimilar player, and after his exploits with **Bologna**in Serie A, the Dutchman has not taken the Premier League by storm. The new summer signing is aware he must raise his level.
“I know my qualities. I know now it's a different league, different country so I have to work for it again and I will work for it again to bring my best level. I can think I can help this club also a lot.”
Unlike Zirkzee, he has the pressure of being a record-breaking signing. At this stage of the window, Newcastle had to stump up a fee that was worth the inconvenience of Stuttgart letting him go. This transfer will cost the Toon £69 million, exceeding the price for Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022.
Value in the truest sense of the word has disappeared from football at the highest level, but with Isak pushing to sign for Liverpool, the stakes are high with this move. Woltemade will focus on doing his best, and he has taken a light-hearted approach to being at the centre of the saga of the summer.
“In football, there is always pressure. In matches the last year I played was pressure. I guess that pressure is everywhere. But I like pressure and I didn't make my price! I can't do anything about it.”
In his eyes, the willingness of the board to bring him in for such a hefty transfer fee is a vote of confidence in his abilities. Now, the German wants to knuckle down and get on with his business.
“I just want to play to play football and what the clubs pay it's not my decision but I'm really happy that the club trust me so much that they paid so much money and I'm really happy about it.”