Nick Woltemade has been used as a midfielder by Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe in recent months.
Eddie Howe has hinted that Nick Woltemade’s position could change between now and the end of the campaign.
While Howe says he’s not “bogged down” by Woltemade’s position, the German’s switch from striker to midfield has been a big talking point, both on Tyneside and in his homeland.
Woltemade arrived as a striker when he joined Newcastle United from Stuttgart last summer for a club-record £64million. He scored nine goals in his opening 22 appearances but has managed just one goal in 19 since.
That came away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup when Howe first experimented with Woltemade in midfield. A promising performance had looked like a sign of things to come, but his displays since have brought mixed reviews.
Eddie Howe hints at Nick Woltemade position change
The general feeling among the fanbase is that they want Woltemade to return up front, and Howe has admitted that the 24-year-old “might well play in different positions” during the final seven matches.
Howe said: “I look at Nick across multiple positions. I don't sort of label him as one player. I think he is a very good technical player, technically, he's outstanding in lots of different places on the pitch, whether he's higher or whether he's lower.
“I think he did really, really well early season because he converted a lot of the chances that came his way. He converted, and it was a really high level in terms of his finishing and his efficiency, but that was from minimal chance creation.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“And then when he went through a spell where he didn't score, it became more difficult for him, so chance creation has always been a slight issue for us and for him, so he's trying to get him in goal-scoring positions when he plays as a nine.
“And then when he plays a bit lower, there's less pressure on him in that respect because then he'll have a player ahead of him who the responsibility or main responsibility falls on him to score. He becomes more of a creator, which I think he's very good at as well.
“I'm not bogged down on his position. For me, it's not the be-all and end-all. I think he's a very good player. We use him in different positions.
“Between now and the end of the season, he might well play in different positions and within different systems, we are quite flexible. It's about him performing when he plays. It's about the team trying to help him reach his best level.”
Nick Woltemade defends his Newcastle United form
Speaking during the recent international break, Woltemade hit out at those focusing on his goalscoring form due to the recent midfield switch. He admitted he prefers to play up front but has been able to “expand his repertoire” under Howe.
“It bothers me,” Woltemade said when asked about the criticism. “If someone claims that I’m in a slump, I’d argue that this person doesn’t watch many Newcastle games.
“I know people associate me with goals, but you can’t compare a striker’s tally with that of a midfielder playing 50, 60, 70 metres from the opponent’s goal. I’m currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season.
“Right now, I should be judged by how I handle duels or secure space. Of course, I score far fewer goals now. But I’m completely relaxed. I don’t mind expanding my repertoire. And I’m convinced that, in the long run, it will make me stronger if I learn to navigate phases like this.”
Continue Reading