Newcastle United has taken proactive steps to support Nick Woltemade as the young forward navigates the first real rough patch of his career in England. The German international arrived on Tyneside with a massive £69 million price tag and a mountain of expectations after a high-profile move from Stuttgart.
Early on, he seemed to justify every penny of that investment, lighting up the Premier League with nine goals and showing exactly why Eddie Howe was so desperate to bring him to St. James’ Park. However, the honeymoon phase has officially ended, and the club is now working hard behind the scenes to help the player rediscover his clinical edge.
The statistics tell a sobering story for a player of his caliber. Woltemade has now gone six consecutive matches without finding the back of the net. This dip in form has seen him lose his guaranteed starting spot, especially with Yoane Wissa returning to full fitness and providing a more direct threat.
For some, this slump brings back memories of the warnings issued by Bayern Munich scouts when the transfer was originally being discussed. The German giants ultimately refused to pay the high asking price for the young star, suggesting he was still a “developing talent” rather than a finished product. Those growing pains have become more visible in recent weeks.
A turning point in his confidence seemed to occur during the high-stakes atmosphere of a local derby. Back in December, an unfortunate own goal by Woltemade gifted Sunderland a victory, a moment that clearly weighed on the young striker.
While he showed great character by scoring twice against Chelsea just a week later, his output has completely dried up since then. His performance in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City was a particular point of concern for fans, as he appeared to be struggling with his timing and frequently mistimed his runs, leading to a frustrating 2-0 defeat for the Magpies.
Despite these struggles, manager Eddie Howe remains a firm believer in the player’s potential. Speaking ahead of the upcoming trip to face Wolves at Molineux, Howe emphasized that the responsibility for Woltemade’s lack of goals does not fall entirely on the striker’s shoulders.
The manager pointed out that while Woltemade is naturally a confident person, it is impossible to know exactly what is going on inside a player’s head during a dry spell. Howe made it clear that he wants the rest of the team to do more to create high-quality chances for the young German, suggesting that the team’s overall goal creation has been lacking.
The coaching staff is currently spending extra time with Woltemade on the training pitch to refine his movements and positioning. Howe has been quick to praise the striker’s attitude and work ethic, noting that he is a dedicated team player who has settled into life in Newcastle very well.
The challenge for the staff is to figure out how to get the best out of his unique playing style. Unlike Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool earlier this season, or Yoane Wissa, who prefers to stay high up the pitch and stretch defenses, Woltemade is a much more fluid attacker. He often likes to drop deep into the midfield to collect the ball and get involved in the build-up play.
This tendency to drop deep is a double-edged sword. While it helps Newcastle control possession and create space for others, it sometimes leaves the team without a focal point in the box.
Howe has described him as the “polar opposite” of Wissa, and while he enjoys that tactical contrast, he is pushing Woltemade to remain a goal threat even when he isn’t playing as a traditional number nine.
The manager pointed out that even during this goal drought, Woltemade has remained productive by providing assists and “big actions” for teammates like Harvey Barnes.
Ultimately, the goal is to make Woltemade a constant threat regardless of where he starts on the pitch. Whether he plays as a striker or in a deeper creative role, the club is committed to his development.
The pressure of a £69 million price tag is immense, and missing a crucial penalty in the FA Cup shootout against Bournemouth didn’t help matters, but the support system at Newcastle is fully behind him.
As the team prepares for the battle at Molineux, the hope is that this specialized work behind the scenes will pay off and help the “new Isak” find his scoring boots once again.
