DFB Star Nick Woltemade Slams Critics Over Alleged Form Dip, Cites Positional Shift
DFB star Nick Woltemade has expressed irritation regarding the increasing criticism of his current performances.
"That bothers me," stated the 24-year-old, who has scored fewer goals recently after a strong start to the Premier League season. "If someone accuses me of a form crisis, I would simply argue that they haven't watched many Newcastle United games."
He emphasized that he is playing "in a completely different position than at the start of the season" for the Magpies. Woltemade, who has only scored once this year, explained: "I know I'm associated with goals, but you can't compare the goal-scoring rate of a striker with that of a midfielder who plays 50, 60, 70 meters away from the opponent's goal."
"I am currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season," said the international player, who has recently been deployed further back on the pitch by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. "Right now, I should rather be judged on how I win my duels or secure spaces."
Woltemade Aims to "Expand My Repertoire," But Remains a Striker at Heart
However, he has no issue with his changed role at Newcastle. "I score far fewer goals because of it, clearly. But I'm completely relaxed; I don't find it bad at all to expand my repertoire," Woltemade stressed. "And I'm convinced that learning to deal with such phases will make me stronger in the long run."
Nevertheless, the former Stuttgart player prefers to operate as a central striker, as he did recently in the DFB team's 2-1 World Cup test victory against Ghana. "I believe that's how I can best contribute my strengths to the team," Woltemade concluded.
Fresh materials — Serie A
Kylian Mbappé Overtakes Lionel Messi as World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi engaged in a high-stakes race for the World Cup's all-time top scorer record during the 2026 tournament. SPOX takes a look at the updated rankings. On July 8, 2014, a historic moment in German football unfolded, not just because of the German national team's d
Rodri Named Best Player of the 2026 World Cup, Messi Misses Out on Golden Ball
Rodri, Spain's midfield strategist, has been officially named the best player of the 2026 World Cup. Despite a stellar tournament, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi was surprisingly overlooked for the Golden Ball award. The World Cup was a stage for absolute superstars and prolific strikers,
Leandro Paredes' Controversial Actions Mar World Cup Final
Leandro Paredes' performance in the World Cup final was far from commendable, culminating in his expulsion from the pitch after the final whistle. Shortly after being substituted in at halftime for Nico Gonzalez, Paredes demonstrated unsportsmanlike conduct. In the 51st minute, he cynically
Argentina Sets Historic Negative Record in World Cup Final Against Spain
The 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, marked by a remarkably uneventful first half, saw Argentina establish a new negative record. The Albiceleste continued to add to their list of concerning statistics as the match progressed. According to data provider Opta, only three s
Lionel Messi Joins Elite Club with Third World Cup Final Appearance
Lionel Messi has become the second player in football history to feature in three World Cup finals. After appearances in 2014 (lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time) and 2022 (won 4-2 on penalties against France), he was on the pitch for the kickoff of the match between Argentina and Spain on S
Unprecedented World Cup Final Halftime Show Takes Historic Proportions
The World Cup final was punctuated by an extended 27-minute halftime break, a departure from the usual 15 minutes in football regulations. This unusual length was dedicated to a grand spectacle, inspired by the Super Bowl's halftime show, and was eagerly anticipated, particularly with the perf