Germany still await Nick Woltemade’s first goal at senior level: “He’ll score for us too.” | OneFootball

Newcastle’s summer mega-purchase Nick Woltemade has already found the back of the net four times in seven games for his new Premier League side. The 23-year-old nevertheless hasn’t yet managed to score in five appearances for Germany at senior level. German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann is nevertheless sure that Woltemade will break his duck soon.

Woltemade was not among the players who scored in Friday night’s 4-0 win over Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier. As the German national team prepares to head to Belfast for their second qualifying fixture of the October international break, there’s certainly some pressure on Woltemade’s shoulders. Nagelsmann has tapped Woltemade to lead the line as the lone starting centre forward in all five of his senior caps.

“Nick just has to keep at it,” Nagelsmann remarked at a Sunday press conference before his team boarded their flight. “He’s on a good run at Newcastle, he’s scored several times there. He’ll score for us too. It may take another five games before he scores, or six or seven, but that’s not so bad. He’ll score eventually, and then he’ll score a few more times.”

After Germany suffered an upset loss against Slovakia during the September international break, Woltemade was among the players booed in Köln following a weak first half against Northern Ireland in the second qualifying match. The German game didn’t truly pick up until Woltemade was subbed off in the 61st-minute.

Nagelsmann made clear he supported Woltemade in spite of the poor reception. Woltemade drew some whistles in Sinsheim on Friday when he missed an early chance. Oftentimes looking sluggish upon his return from a flu-like infection, German fans in the stands Woltemade’s fitness issues as a chance to register their discontent with his decision to depart the Bundesliga.

“We don’t have to worry about the nature of the [footballing business],” Nagelsmann said when commenting on the Friday scenes during a Sunday press round. “We just have to get stuck in.”

GGFN | Peter Weis