“Not nearly enough”
Record striker criticizes Woltemade – Nagelsmann reacts
March 2, 2026 – 1:16 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Nick Woltemade is struggling with his form at Newcastle United. This is anything but surprising for national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
40 competitive games, ten goals, four assists: Nick Woltemade doesn’t have an easy time with his club Newcastle United and in the English Premier League. In his team’s 2-3 defeat against Everton FC on Saturday, the German international did not play well and was subsequently clearly criticized by club legend Alan Shearer. “I think there’s a good player in him, but it’s a player who is really struggling,” the Premier League’s record goalscorer told the BBC.
Especially in view of the high transfer fee of 75 million euros, his performances and his statistics are “far from good enough.” It is only partly an excuse that Woltemade is sometimes deployed in midfield and sometimes in attack. “No goals, no assists, no shots on goal, no touches of the ball in the opposition penalty area and 14 touches of the ball today,” said Shearer, summing up the performance after the game. It is now his job and that of trainer Eddie Howe to ensure that everyone involved improves. “I think he’s a good player, but he’s a player who’s really struggling.”
For national coach Julian Nagelsmann, this is not at all surprising. “He is a young player who needs time to develop,” he warns against hasty criticism. The 24-year-old is a “very talented, good player who played a decent to good U-21 European Championship in 2025.” Nevertheless, Woltemade had hardly received any playing time beforehand, was not even in the Champions League squad of his former club Stuttgart and only had six months of experience as a regular player in Bundesliga football.
“That’s why I don’t expect him to score 15 goals in Newcastle and then shoot us to the World Cup title. He’s welcome to do that, but that would be extraordinary.” Just last week, Nagelsmann told him to “stay relaxed. We have confidence in him.”
