Newcastle United want to keep Nick Woltemade for a second season, believing he will be more effective now that he understands the demands of English football. After a club-record £64m move from Stuttgart, he struggled for minutes and goals in the second half of the campaign and at times looked ill-equipped for the Premier League’s speed and physicality. Staff have been impressed with his work in training and see signs he can thrive in a deeper role behind a main striker. He scored his first league goal since December in a 3-1 win over West Ham and linked play well near the opposition box. Newcastle believe no club can match their August fee and want him to have a full pre-season under Eddie Howe before judging him fairly.
"Newcastle United want to keep Nick Woltemade for a second season as they believe he will be more effective now that he understands the demands of English football. Woltemade has struggled for minutes and goals in the second half of the campaign, following his club-record £64m move from Stuttgart. At times, he has looked ill-equipped to cope with the speed and physicality of the Premier League."
"However, it is understood that staff have been impressed with the Germany international's work in training and are seeing more evidence he can thrive in a new, deeper role playing behind a main striker. Woltemade scored his first league goal since December in last Sunday's 3-1 win over West Ham United and also linked play well in and around the opposition box."
"Nothing is ever certain heading into the transfer market and, if Woltemade has a great World Cup, clubs could be interested in the 24-year-old. But Newcastle do not believe there are any clubs who would be able to get close to the fee they paid for him in August. They also know Woltemade is a popular figure in the dressing room - and in the stands - and he deserves a full pre-season under Eddie Howe before he is fairly judged."
"In August, Newcastle knew they were signing a player who needed time to adapt and they have since struggled to get him to influence games consistently. But there has always been an appreciation of the player's skills and confidence he would improve the more he played. Newcastle have not had the time on the training ground to shape Woltemade into the striker they want him to be, while an injury to Yoane Wissa meant the German forward had to play every game."
Read at Irish Independent
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