Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has moved to defend Newcastle United star Nick Woltemade after recent criticism.
The German press labelled Woltemade “almost invisible” during the country’s defeat to Slovakia, along with Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz.
Woltemade recorded an assist for Germany against Northern Ireland but even that 3-1 win is unlikely to change the mood around Julian Nagelsmann’s side, given their struggles in recent years.
It’s been a bruising few days for Newcastle United’s club record signing, assist aside. Indeed, Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß suggested Newcastle overpaid for Woltemade, with the German giants having previously been interested in the former Stuttgart striker.
However, context is important. Woltemade was making only his fourth appearance for his country and only has 70 Bundesliga games behind him. While clearly a talent, expecting too much too soon from the 23-year-old is unwise.
Writing in his Sky Sports Germany column, Matthaus moved to defend the Toon star.
Nick Woltemade playing for Germany against Northern Ireland.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Lothar Matthaus defends Nick Woltemade
Matthaus is one of Germany’s greatest ever players, so his opinion is likely to carry weight. A World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner in 1990, the Bayern legend has defended the Newcastle forward, along with Wirtz.
He wrote: “I’ll defend Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz. The turmoil and the adjustment to a new environment, these things are affecting the players’ minds. They still need time to adjust to the new situation.”
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Responding to suggestions that Newcastle overpaid for Woltemade, he wrote: “Uli and I don’t get along, and we don’t need to. I’m doing what I think is right. I don’t even want to be right about the transfer fee for Nick Woltemade.
“Hoeneß criticises transfer fees, but FC Bayern itself participates in and contributes to these. That’s why I don’t know what Uli wants from me. They also took the 30 or 35 million for [Kingsley] Coman from Saudi Arabia. There are many contradictions there.”
The plan Newcastle United have up their sleeve for Nick Woltemade
Luckily for the striker, Yoane Wissa joined him at the club.
Newcastle plan to start Wissa as their striker while Woltemade develops under Eddie Howe, which feels wise.
It has sometimes taken new recruits a while to get up to speed under the Newcastle United manager.
Wissa will obviously need an adaptation period himself but having already played in the Premier League for years, the hope is that he can hit the ground running.
There’s every reason to think Howe can improve Woltemade and build on his obvious talent. He’s done it time and time again on Tyneside.