At a glance
- Newcastle star Woltemade has Germany’s ‘full backing’
- Finding his feet again
- Best chance to get back to his position
Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade has been selected by Julian Nagelsmann to be part of the German national team ahead of the international break. The four-time World Cup winners take on Switzerland and Ghana in friendlies.
Questions have been asked about Woltemade and whether he would still be selected for his national team. According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, the forward has the ‘full backing’ of Nagelsmann.
Germany’s full team has been announced for those upcoming friendlies. The 24-year-old is set to feature as one of Nagelsmann’s forwards along with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Stuttgart’s Denis Undav.
Returning to a familiar role
Many in the Toon Army have been critical of the way Eddie Howe has utilised Woltemade, particularly in 2026. When he first arrived at St James’ Park, the German was deployed in his natural position as a striker.
However, since the beginning of the new year, Woltemade has been operating in a deep midfield position. He has struggled to influence games and is enduring a tough time.
Recently, he has seen his minutes dwindle compared with the beginning of the season, and he failed to feature in either leg of the Champions League against Barcelona.
Supporters might be keen to tune into Germany’s fixtures to see how Woltemade gets on as a striker if he beats Havertz and Undav to the No 9 position. He’s earned eight caps to date for his nation.
Newcastle’s club record signing made his international debut last July against Portugal in the Nations League, in a 2-1 defeat. In his last three World Cup qualifiers, he has scored four goals, including a brace in a 2-0 win away to Luxembourg.
Chance to prove doubters wrong
The Black and Whites spent some serious money on the forward this summer from Stuttgart. They broke their transfer record to bring him to Tyneside for £69m, a decision that Alan Shearer has questioned.
Geordies know what they saw at the beginning of the season, as the German looked a real handful up top. But Howe’s decision to play him deeper has compromised his development and output.
The deal to sign Woltemade was to ensure Newcastle can compete at the top and challenge for trophies with the big teams. This was something they were able to do with their former striker Alexander Isak before his £125m exit to Liverpool.
It’s unfair to blame Woltemade for this, as he hasn’t been given a fair chance recently, whether that is believed to benefit Howe’s system or not. Yet, this period gives him a great chance to write his wrongs.
Germany also have very fast, direct wingers, such as Brentford’s Kevin Schade and Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling. Their frontman is playing for a Newcastle team with an attacking duo in Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who boast similar playing attributes.
Woltemade isn’t just about scoring goals, but also creating chances. Newcastle’s attack has had periods of inconsistency, which hasn’t helped the 24-year-old.
If he is able to produce a strong international display in their friendlies, it might force the English manager into considering him as an option back up top once again.
Howe will want to secure a European qualification this year to help them build in the summer window. Getting Woltemade back into the box, which would cause problems for the opposition, is something the manager needs, but it seems he will have to demonstrate it on an international stage to earn another opportunity.
