The German international is back in his home country and desperate to ram it down the throats of the critics
Nick Woltemade speaks to the media ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League match against Leverkusen
Nick Woltemade insists he has not given Alexander Isak a second thought since stepping into void the Sweden star left behind back in August.
The German international has netted seven goals since his £69milliom move from Stuttgart and silenced a host of critics from his home country along the way. Bayern Munich icon Karl-Heinz Rummenigge branded Newcastle "idiots" for paying what they saw as over the odds for the 6ft 6in striker last autumn but Woltemade is shutting the German giants up goal by goal.
And as he looks to shine in his native Germany in the Champions League he has opened up about the stinging criticism that has come his way.
When asked if it was a tough challenge replacing Isak, Woltemade told Chronicle Live in Germany: "When you care about stuff like that - where does it end? There are too many people talking about it.
"So I just focus on myself. I saw an opportunity to play in the Champions League and the best league the Premier League, and play in a really nice team.
"It is an opportunity that I wanted to take. This was the right opportunity I wanted to take. I am really happy with it. It has gave me a lot."
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade (right) celebrates with his team mates. Inset: Alexander Isak
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade (right) celebrates with his team mates. Inset: Alexander Isak
In a packed Press conference, with the likes of Kicker and Bild standing by to see his response to Bayern questions, Woltemade said: "To be honest, I don't care. I think a lot of people speak about me, and if I would listen to everything, what it's saying about me, I can't focus on myself anymore, so I don't read it.
"I'm just taking care of myself, and focus on myself, and that's the way that helps me the best.
"At the end, I'm not deciding what someone is paying for me, but I can say I'm really happy that Newcastle is paying this for me because I'm really happy that I'm now in Newcastle."
The ex-Bundesliga star can't wait to play at home again, however. Woltemade insists there is no homesickness after his move to Tyneside but hopes to enjoy his trip back to his homeland.
The striker said: "It's really nice. I'm really excited to come back to Germany. I already feel at home in Newcastle too, but if I'm honest, to come to your home country again it's always feeling good. Very happy to be here, played some games with my old teams."
Woltemade suggested that German fans would see a new version of him too, having developed his game since his move to the Premier League, particularly physically and with his fitness.
He said: "I think especially my physical work is getting way better, I can sprint more, I can go on more duels, I think it's really important for the Premier League to get this in your mind and the gaffer worked with me a lot, even the other coaches too.
"But we talked about this a lot and in the league you don't get so many chances as a striker sometimes.
"It's hard to explain in English now, but the feeling for myself that I always know I can always score a goal, I think this is what Newcastle gave me also a lot, because I always have the feeling in the game, OK, I can score a goal.
"Even when I don't touch the ball maybe for some minutes, I know always, hey, the ball will come, because I have such good team-mates, they give me good balls.
"I think all in all, the most what I improved is the physics."