Nick Woltemade has admitted he secretly hoped that he would be substituted during his Newcastle United debut.
It feels a very long time ago now given the struggles both Woltemade and Newcastle United have endured since, but the German international actually scored a header on his debut for the club against Wolves.
That was the first of ten goals this season, though they have dropped off since as Eddie Howe pushed him back into a central midfield position.
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Still, Woltemade is expected to return to his role as a striker at Newcastle now they have more time on the training pitch.
The player himself admitted that he found the intensity of the Premier League difficult at the start of his career here, and has now gone one further.
Woltemade admits he secretly wanted to be substituted
Speaking to German outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung, Woltemade said: “I remember my first Premier League game well, at some point you secretly look towards the sideline and think: ‘Can someone substitute me here?’ I had cramps after 60 minutes, I had never had that before.”
Indeed, Woltemade suffered muscle cramps on his Premier League debut, which was to be expected.
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So much is made about the intensity of the Premier League compared to other European leagues and it was plain to see here.
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It also offers some context as to his struggles. Woltemade is keen to point out that his lack of goals in recent months is down to his position change, which is certainly a fair assessment.
Still, even if he were playing up front, it would be natural to expect something of a dip. The German league, of course, uses a winter break, while Premier League clubs play right through.
That will take some getting used to. Interestingly, of Woltemade’s 45 appearances for Newcastle, he’s only actually ever completed ten games for the club.
Hopefully next season, if he is indeed still on Tyneside, Newcastle fans will be able to see a much more physically robust centre-forward to lead the line.
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