Nick Woltemade (left) and Newcastle United teammate Malick Thiawplaceholder image
Nick Woltemade (left) and Newcastle United teammate Malick Thiaw | Getty Images
Malick Thiaw believes Nick Woltemade is a ‘great asset’ to Newcastle United and the German national team.
Nick Woltemade’s £65million club record transfer to Newcastle United from VfB Stuttgart in the summer was the subject of much scrutiny, particularly in the German media.
Several high-profile pundits and Bayern Munich figures hit out at the transfer fee Newcastle had paid for the 23-year-old after Bayern were unable to strike a deal.
But Woltemade quickly demonstrated his value on Tyneside with five goals in his first six starts for Newcastle. The German international also scored a header against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup a fortnight ago.
Despite scoring just once in his last six outings for Newcastle, Woltemade went into the November international break with a respectable return of six goals in 12 starts for his new club.
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Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade
While Woltemade has impressed on an individual level, the team are still dealing with the transition after losing a very different striker in Alexander Isak at the start of the season.
“I don't think we're functioning at our best level,” Howe admitted. “That's not dependent on Nick. Nick's one player in the machine.
“I still think we're finding our best way to use him. We're finding our best form individually throughout the team. So I'm very happy with Nick.
“I'm very happy with his application. I'm very happy with his ability to carry out instructions. I'm very happy with, of course, the goals that he scored.
“So I think he individually has done very well. I think us as a team, we've still got to mould and find our best way.”
Malick Thiaw hails Nick Woltemade as ‘great asset’ to Newcastle United
Woltemade’s Germany and Newcastle teammate Malick Thiaw believes they have both helped each other settle in their new surroundings on Tyneside.
“That's great, I think he'd say the same, but he's really helped me,” Thiaw told Sky Germany. “It's always different when you share that comfort zone with another German. Someone you can always speak German with and whose interests you share.
“He's become a very good friend of mine. I'm very happy he's here and he's a great asset to the team."
After being scrutinised by the German media, Woltemade’s start to life at Newcastle has been described as ‘perfect’ by Thiaw, who could do nothing but praise the striker’s impact.
"Nick's qualities are undisputed,” he added. “Everyone is aware of that. I already knew Nick before, so I was aware of what he brings to the table and that he could definitely make it in England. The fact that he then got off to such a perfect start was perfect. He's doing very well."
Thiaw and Woltemade are set to be in World Cup qualifier action for Germany against Luxembourg and Slovakia as they look to secure automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament in North America. The four-time world champions have never failed to qualify for the tournament but will need to better Slovakia’s results over the next two matches in order to secure qualification as group winners.
After the two matches, Thiaw and Woltemade will return to Newcastle for the Premier League clash with Manchester City on November 22.
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