Nagelsmann highlights Newcastle role issues for Woltemade ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

Back in March, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann defended Nick Woltemade amid criticism in England, arguing that the striker’s club, Newcastle United, weren’t playing to his strengths and were keeping him too far away from goal.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Nagelsmann struck a similar tone as he discussed the 24-year-old’s struggles in England and his expectations for him heading into the World Cup.

“He’s not a classic counter-attacking striker. At Newcastle, he’s often 70 metres away from goal, which makes it difficult for him to get into the box,” Nagelsmann said.

Newcastle’s 3-1 win over West Ham earlier this month, in which Woltemade scored his first Premier League goal of the calendar year, was a good example of that, according to Nagelsmann.

“He often initiated things out wide and then the ball was in the box so quickly that he could no longer get there himself. You have to get him closer to goal,” he added.

Nagelsmann was not explicitly criticising Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, saying that “every coach chooses his own style”, but pointed out that Germany’s playing style is a better fit for the striker.

“The way we play will suit him because he has shorter distances to the goal,” said Nagelsmann, adding that the 24-year-old has “already scored many goals and played many good games for us”.

“That’s a very important point: what you have already experienced in a certain environment.”

Sitting alongside Nagelsmann, DFB sporting director Rudi Völler also gave his thoughts on Woltemade’s situation.

“A lot has happened for him over the last year. He won the cup (with VfB Stuttgart), then moved abroad, became a national player. Now it’s another step up to be at a World Cup. The important thing is to enjoy it and take it all in,” Völler said.

With Kai Havertz unavailable for Sunday’s friendly against Finland due to his involvement in the Champions League final with Arsenal, Woltemade could get a chance up front.