Eddie Howe has hit back at the media backlash surrounding Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United once again.
The 24-year-old club record signing has been the subject of much scrutiny in recent months after struggling to find the net. His last Premier League goals came in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at St James’ Park back in December.
The German forward was played in both midfield and attack during Newcastle’s recent 3-2 defeat against Everton at St James’ Park but failed to make an impact.
Woltemade’s form has raised concerns about his place in the German national team heading into the World Cup this year. But the £65million forward has been given assurances from Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann that he is part of his plans.
Sky Germany have reported there are ‘no doubts’ over Woltemade’s place in the national squad despite his ‘dip in form’.
The report adds Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is a ‘big admirer’ of Woltemade and recently spoke with the forward looking ahead to the summer.
Nagelsmann said via Kicker: “He’s a young player who needs time to develop, as you can see now in Newcastle.
“So I don’t expect him to score 15 goals in Newcastle and then shoot us to a World Cup title. He’s welcome to do that, but it would be extraordinary. I told him only last week to stay relaxed. We have trust in him.”
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Nick Woltemade ‘excellent’ for Newcastle United - claims Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe also hit back at the recent criticism of Woltemade’s performances, insisting the German has been ‘excellent’ on the whole in recent weeks.
“I speak to the players,” Howe said. “Not necessarily on a daily basis, but I'll be having meetings with them throughout the week on various things, usually associated with their game and trying to help them with viewing games. I've done a lot of that with Nick.
“I think Nick's in a relatively decent place with his game. It's so funny how one performance or one bad game can suddenly bring a cloud around a player.
“I think Nick's performances, if you look at them with a more holistic viewpoint, have been excellent in recent games. I've been pleased with him. Yes, he's maybe not getting the goals that he was in the early season, but I think his all-round game is better than it was.
“I'm oblivious to the outside opinion. I would be saying the same as national team manager, not necessarily to relax, but to carry on enjoying football, play your way. He's got outstanding qualities, I think he'll only get better for us as time goes on.”
Eddie Howe slams NUFC online ‘nonsense’ amid Nick Woltemade criticism
Howe went on to say he won’t be swayed by the ‘nonsense’ narrative surrounding his No. 27.
"That is news to me,” Howe said on the Woltemade media criticism online. “I will have discussions with players, not necessarily about social media or what the narrative is.
"There is of course, people at the club who have their eyes on [social media]. It is not a world I can go into, if I go into it and read it and absorb it.
"My opinions are then swayed by nonsense. So I would prefer to keep my brain based on my own eyes.
"Nick is doing well. I would never overreact negatively to one performance from any indvidual.
"It is always about the longer-term and making sure they are continuing to improve. Nick has stuff to work on and we are working on it with him but I am happy with him."
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