The life of a professional footballer is filled with highs and lows, and sometimes they can happen just days apart.
For Newcastle United’s record signing, Nick Woltemade, this past week has been a perfect example of that rollercoaster.
After the incredible high of scoring a dream winning goal on his Premier League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he experienced the disappointment of being named on the substitutes’ bench for the club’s biggest game of the season so far, a UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona at St James’ Park.
It was a surprising decision by manager Eddie Howe that did not sit well with many supporters.
The fans were eager to see their new striker build on the momentum from his debut and lead the line against the Spanish giants.
Instead, Anthony Gordon was chosen to play through the middle, a role he has often filled out of necessity rather than design.
While Gordon is a fantastic player, his strengths traditionally lie in running at defenders from wide areas, and he again found it difficult to impose himself as a central striker for much of the game.
The irony of the situation was that Gordon did eventually score Newcastle’s only goal, a well-taken consolation in the final minute.
However, that goal came after he had been shifted back to his natural left-wing position, following the introduction of Woltemade from the bench.
For the German international, it was a frustrating night spent mostly watching from the sidelines, but he has now broken his silence with a mature and professional response.
Taking to social media after the match, Woltemade did not mention his personal disappointment or the decision to drop him.
Instead, he focused on the collective result and the pride of making his Champions League debut. He described it as a “proud moment for me personally” on the “big stage,” while acknowledging that the final score was not what the team wanted.
He immediately shifted the focus to the next challenge, writing, “Now focus on Sunday,” ahead of the Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
This response shows a player who is fully aligned with the team’s goals and is not interested in causing any disruption.
His brief appearance on the pitch, though only lasting around half an hour, also demonstrated his potential value. In a very limited amount of time, he still managed to play a subtle but crucial role in Newcastle’s goal.
The move involved a quick, intelligent touch from Woltemade to bring a pass from Sandro Tonali under control and lay it off to Bruno Guimaraes, which eventually led to Jacob Murphy’s cross and Gordon’s finish.
It was a glimpse of how he can be used as a effective target man, holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
The fact that he was only able to touch the ball nine times during his cameo highlights how little service he received, but he still made one of those touches count.
The situation underscores the careful balancing act Eddie Howe is trying to perform. He is under pressure to get results immediately, but he is also clearly mindful of the need to protect his record signing and ease him into the intense physical demands of English football.
With Yoane Wissa injured, the manager is walking a tightrope, trying to manage Woltemade’s fitness while also addressing the team’s urgent need for goals.
For now, Woltemade’s professional response suggests he understands the bigger picture and is ready to work hard for his opportunity to become the undisputed number nine.
