The Italian media have again criticised Nick Woltemade as the Newcastle United striker struggles to impress at Juventus.
Nick Woltemade has once again come under scrutiny from the Italian media following Juventus’ 1-1 draw with Cagliari.
The German striker is yet to start a Serie A game since joining on a season-long loan from Newcastle United on deadline day. His only start has come in the Europa League, where he scored from the penalty spot in a 5-0 win over Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.
Woltemade was brought on from the bench with Juventus trailing 1-0 to Cagliari following Daniel Maldini’s first-half opener. Randal Kolo Muani rescued a point for the visitors late on, but the result did little to ease the criticism on the Newcastle loanee.
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade is on loan with Serie A giants Juventus (photo Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade is on loan with Serie A giants Juventus (photo Getty Images) | Getty Images
We have launched a new NUFC YouTube channel to bring the latest Newcastle United news and analysis.Click this link and subscribe to NUFC Press Box.
Italian media continue to criticise Nick Woltemade
Tuttosport handed Woltemade a 5/10 and said: “Best wishes to Spalletti, who must make sense of a player who is completely out of place today.”
Corriere dello Sport gave a slightly higher mark of 6/10 and wrote: “He opens up important spaces but he's not that great in front of goal.
Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport added that Woltemade “wasn't particularly convincing” as they assessed his chance of starting Juventus’ Europa League match away to La Liga outfit Celta Vigo on Thursday evening.
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.
No recall clause for Nick Woltemade
As a result of Woltemade’s early struggles in Italy, the Italian media has speculated on whether the 24-year-old could return to St James’ Park in January.
However, the Gazette understands Newcastle do not have a recall option in their loan agreement with Juventus and Woltemade’s deal is a straight full-season loan without a break clause, option or obligation to make the deal permanent.
It was only last year that Woltemade became the Magpies’ record signing after joining from Stuttgart for £64million.
The German’s career on Tyneside got off to an impressive start, with six goals from his first six shots on target quickly making him a fan favourite, but his remarkable goalscoring form didn’t last and he struggled to find a role in the side during the second half of the season under Eddie Howe.
Fellow German Matthias Jaissle succeeded Howe as head coach in the summer, but that did little to change Woltemade’s fortunes and he was loaned to Juventus.