Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade has spotted a difference between Premier League and Bundesliga refereeing.
Nick Woltemade may have endured some Newcastle United difficulties in recent weeks, but the international break has brought him more goals.
Woltemade scored twice for Germany against Luxembourg on Friday night, taking his tally to three goals in seven games for his country.
Woltemade was questioned last week after a quiet display against Brentford, and he was substituted at half-time against West Ham United a week earlier.
As if there was any doubt over the Newcastle forward, he certainly answered his critics with a couple of fine finishes for Germany.
Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade on Premier League refereeing
Newcastle face Manchester City next weekend, and Eddie Howe will be looking for Woltemade to make a big impact.
Woltemade has failed to score in his last three Premier League outings and has found the net just once in his last six games in all competitions.
Despite making a fine start in front of goal, Woltemade is still developing and adjusting to life in the Premier League, and there will be ups and downs.
Speaking to Sport Bild, Woltemade admitted that he has sensed one big difference between Premier League and Bundesliga football.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 12 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 16 | |
| 13 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 15 | |
| 14 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 12 | |
| 15 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 16 | -4 | 11 | |
| 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 20 | -10 | 11 |
Woltemade believes that Premier League referees actually blow for fewer fouls, allowing the game to flow ‘much more smoothly’.
Woltemade believes that makes Premier League football ‘very intense’, but he is enjoying playing against the very best.
“That’s right, but that quickly subsided because I get to play every three days,” said Woltemade when asked about difficulties after first joining Newcastle.
“I feel very good, the adjustment went quickly. But it’s definitely a big difference. The referees whistle much less, the game flows much more smoothly. It’s very intense. And competing against the best every three days, that naturally helps me with the national team too!” he added.
Woltemade’s fouls per game are roughly the same as they were in the Bundesliga, so perhaps he is judging the decisions around him rather than those he is involved in.
| Woltemade seasons | Woltemade fouls per game |
| 2024-25 (Bundesliga) | 0.9 |
| 2025-26 (Premier League) | 1.1 |
Nick Woltemade looking to take down former Newcastle United stopper Martin Dubravka
Woltemade looks set to lead the line once again for Germany as they take on Slovakia on Monday.
This is a huge game, as both teams are locked on 12 points at the top of UEFA World Cup qualifying group A.
Whoever wins this meeting will go through as group winners, so Woltemade will be looking to fire Germany through.
The man looking to stop him is Martin Dubravka, with the former Newcastle stopper still serving as Slovakia’s first-choice stopper.
Dubravka has impressed for Burnley since making a summer move, and he has conceded just two goals in this international campaign.
Dubravka vs Woltemade will be a fascinating battle, and Newcastle fans can look on with intrigue as they battle for a World Cup spot.
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