The fact that Nick Woltemade has not played in some of Newcastle United’s biggest games this season has naturally frustrated him.
Woltemade is the most expensive signing in Newcastle United history, brought in as the striker to replace Alexander Isak.
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A graphic showing Newcastle United's predicted lineup against Sunderland for their Premier League game on 22/03/2026.
Credit: GRV Media
Granted, Woltemade wasn’t exactly Newcastle’s first choice on that front, but few would have imagined him playing in midfield not long after signing, never mind not being in the team at all.
The German didn’t play a single minute of the two-legged Champions League tie against Barcelona, which was described as the biggest game in the club’s history.
Indeed, that fact is not lost on him.
Woltemade frustrated at not playing in Newcastle’s key games
According to talkSPORT, Woltemade is frustrated about the fact he hasn’t been playing in Newcastle’s big fixtures this season.
The Barcelona example is a case in point. He didn’t see a minute of action, despite scoring ten goals in all competitions this season.
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Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the stands at St James' Park, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe looks to the ground
Credit: James Gill – Danehouse/Stu Forster via Getty Images
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It’s telling that Woltemade has not been frustrated about having to play in midfield this season. That would suggest that he’s up for the challenge, so it’s hardly him throwing his toys out of the pram.
This experiment could surely have been handled better. At times, it has felt as if Woltemade gets unfair criticism at Newcastle – proving the fall guy for a flawed transfer approach.
Nick Woltemade playing for Newcastle United against Chelsea.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Though it would be foolish to pretend that everything has been perfect, the fact he has been overlooked entirely is strange. It is not a surprise that it has proved frustrating for him.
Eddie Howe rarely gets it wrong with players but things have not worked for either during Woltemade’s first season, which seemed impossible to imagine during his opening first few weeks at the club.
There is hope that the forward can build next season. Not everything has been bad.
However, some high-profile omissions for Woltemade at Newcastle this season will be hard to come back from.
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