Nick Pope has expressed his surprise over the growing “madness” surrounding Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade, particularly after hearing some of the critical remarks coming from Germany.
The young German forward has quickly established himself as a fan favorite on Tyneside, silencing doubts and proving his worth after a high-profile summer move to the Premier League.
When Newcastle signed Woltemade, expectations were immediately high. Arriving with a hefty transfer fee after just one standout season in the Bundesliga, the pressure was immense.
Yet, in true Newcastle fashion, the powerful forward wasted no time in making his mark. Scoring four goals in his first six Premier League appearances, he has already shown that he can handle the physical and mental demands of English football, easing concerns about whether he could adapt to the pace of the game.
Despite his early success, reaction in Germany has been mixed. Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to call up Woltemade as Germany’s new lead striker has drawn significant attention from the media.
Among the many opinions shared, perhaps the most controversial came from Bayern Munich’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, who publicly suggested that Newcastle had overpaid for Woltemade.
Those remarks did not sit well with many on Tyneside, nor with his new teammates, who have rallied behind him.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope recently shared his thoughts on Ben Foster’s Fozcast, calling Hoeness’ comments “madness.” Pope questioned why a senior figure like Hoeness would feel the need to speak about a player who no longer has anything to do with Bayern Munich.
He pointed out that football etiquette has long dictated that individuals refrain from commenting on players at other clubs. To Pope, it seemed unprofessional and unnecessary, especially considering Woltemade’s strong start to life in England.
“It’s madness,” Pope said. “The standard line has always been that you don’t talk about players from another team. Do we not do that anymore?
Now he’s scoring goals every week, it’s looking great for Nick. He’s a calm lad, really mellow, and has settled into the squad brilliantly.”
While Woltemade remains focused on his football, the speculation from Germany continues. Reports have suggested that Bayern Munich still have an eye on the striker and could make a move for him in the future.
With Harry Kane approaching the later stages of his career, there are inevitable comparisons between the two players, especially given their similar physicality and technical ability.
For Newcastle, the challenge will be to keep Woltemade grounded and focused amid the outside noise. The club has given him the platform to thrive, and he has rewarded that faith with performances full of power, confidence, and composure.
As long as he keeps delivering, the links to Bayern Munich will likely persist but that is simply part of being a top player.
If Bayern do return with serious interest in the coming years, it will only confirm that Woltemade’s development under Eddie Howe has been a success.
For now, though, Newcastle fans can simply enjoy watching a new star rise — a striker who embodies the hunger, talent, and ambition that define this exciting era at St James’ Park.
