Nick Woltemade has been talking to the media in Germany.
The 24-year-old speaking about both Newcastle United and his national team.
The 6ft 6 striker asked by RND about how things are going ahead of Germany taking on Ivory Coast.
Nick Woltemade having been left out of the starting eleven for Germany in their opening World Cup group game against Curacao. Whilst with Newcastle United he had less impact in the second half of last season and played in a more withdrawn role when he did play.
Nick Woltemade telling RND: “The goals have given me a lot of confidence. I know the part I played in the successful qualification [for the World Cup finals] and I have shown what I am capable of at this level.”
After signing for Newcastle United, the striker scored four goals in the six Germany World Cup qualifying group games.
Nick Woltemade though going on to say: “But I was always aware that there might be other phases as well and that is exactly what happened when I joined Newcastle United and scored a lot of goals at first. There are then times when things don’t quite click, that doesn’t rattle me, I can handle it. All in all, this last year has been a mad one for me and it has changed my life. When I stood on the pitch with the whole team before the match against Curacao and we sang the anthem, I was smiling from ear to ear because it is so big and beautiful to be part of the biggest stage in football.. It is such a huge and wonderful thing to be part of the biggest stage in football.”
Even though he has turned 24, it is easy to forget just how inexperienced Nick Woltemade is.
When the 2024/25 domestic season ended in Germany, by that point Big Nick had only started 31 Bundesliga matches in his entire career AND he had never played a single minute for the senior national side.
So much has happened these past 13 months, it is great that Nick Woltemade is giving such an intelligent perspective on everything.
You just know the media are desperate to get him to slag off Germany and Newcastle United for his lack of time on the pitch and/or which position he has been asked to play, yet he clearly knows and accepts that things may take time. For club and country.
Nick Woltemade adding: “I feel comfortable playing in a central role, whether on my own up front, as part of a strike partnership or a line behind the strikers…it doesn’t really matter whether that is as a centre-forward, or whatever you call it. Football has changed, it has become more versatile, even Harry Kane isn’t a classic centre-forward. I watched England’s 4–2 win against Croatia and Kane’s a goalscorer of course, BUT he is not a classic centre-forward either. I can’t think of anyone at the top level who fits that profile quite so well. To be honest, that type of player doesn’t really exist anymore.”
Germany having played only their first group game so far and Nick Woltemade commenting: “The national team coach [Julian Nagelsmann] tells me that the tournament is hopefully still long for us and I am working hard for my chance.”