Nick Woltemade during a warm-up drill in his first training session with Juventus (via www.juventus.com)
Nick Woltemade during a warm-up drill in his first training session with Juventus (via www.juventus.com)
Nick Woltemade has told Juventus supporters what to expect from him ahead of a likely debut against Milan on Sunday, insisting there is far more to his game than the gigantic frame suggests.
Speaking to the Corriere dello Sport, the German was the final piece of a summer overhaul in Turin and Luciano Spalletti is ready to throw him straight in against the Rossoneri.
“I think you can expect a very physical style of play from me, but I believe my best and most important qualities are my technique and my understanding of the game,” he said.
“I think I’m an intelligent footballer: I know how to score, I know how to assist, I know how to play the final pass for my team-mates. I think I’m good at finding the right position on the pitch, and I think you often see a tall lad who plays like me.”
MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 08: AC Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Woltemade names Ibrahimovic and Havertz as his reference points
Finding comparisons is not straightforward at his height, and the striker settled on a name that carries obvious weight in Juve-Milan week.
“Not many players are as tall as me, but I take inspiration from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I’ve always liked watching him because he’s also very tall and has good technique. I also like Kai Havertz, who is a friend of mine. I always try to take a little from everyone and make those characteristics my own.”
Woltemade managed 11 goals and five assists in 51 appearances at Newcastle last season, three of them headers, in a campaign the paper describes as a rollercoaster. He arrives with Juventus already two wins from two against Frosinone and Parma, and made clear he sees the side’s control of possession as suiting him.
Nick Woltemade and Weston McKennie in training with Juventus (@juventus via X)
Nick Woltemade and Weston McKennie in training with Juventus (@juventus via X)
“I think I can bring a bit of quality, and I think my ability to score and help my team-mates win is important too, which is obviously what I want to do,” he said.
“I’m delighted to be at a team like Juve, who control the ball a lot and do it with the right timing. In situations like these I can express myself at my best.” He then turned to Sunday directly, adding: “I’ll see you on Sunday, when I hope we’ll take our third win of this season.”