German media savage £69m Newcastle signing in Slovakia player ratings and drop West Ham 'alternative' jibe

Newcastle United signed Nick Woltemade for a fee of £69 million in the last transfer window. He left Stuttgart to join the Premier League side for a new chapter in his career last month. The Germany international, who has three caps to his name, has been brought in by Eddie Howe’s side as their replacement for Alexander Isak, who was sold to fellow top flight side Liverpool.

Woltemade, 23, will be looking to hit the ground running immediately in the North East. He has proved over recent times that he can score goals in the Bundesliga. The striker has a big void to fill after Isak’s exit and will want to step into his shoes well.

Newcastle United new boy Nick Woltemade slammed by German media

Germany were beaten by Slovakia in their latest World Cup qualifier in a result that hasn’t gone down too well in the country. They lost 2-0 on Thursday night after goals by Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko and Middlesbrough’s David Strelec. Woltemade featured up front but wasn’t able to make the impact he would have hoped to.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side have been subsequently slammed by German media afterwards. Frankfurter Rundschau rated Woltemade a 5/10, writing ‘third international match, third start. It was the new Newcastle striker's most underwhelming performance in a German national team jersey.’

Bullinews gave him a 4/10 and said: ‘Woltemade started brightly, providing a clever backheel pass to Leon Goretzka, but it proved to be a frustrating evening for Newcastle’s new signing. He struggled to capitalise on the crosses that came his way and lost possession too often.’

Meanwhile, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that Woltemade ‘lacked the necessary impact in the centre of attack’, while Bild said he, alongside Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, were ‘almost invisible’. The latter added: “His astronomical transfer value of €85m wasn’t evident against Slovakia. Two weak headers went over and wide of the goal (31′), a couple of botched dribbles, and a seemingly half-hearted pressing style. He only played to the end due to a lack of alternatives (West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug was out of the squad due to muscle problems). GRADE 6 (/10).”

What will Nick Woltemade offer to Newcastle United?

Newcastle have landed Woltemade to add more firepower and height to their options at the top end of the pitch. At the age of 23, he has bags of potential still and should get better with age. He penned a long-term deal and will be eager to this what he can do.

The Bremen-born man started his career with local team Werder Bremen and rose up through their academy ranks. He was a regular at various different youth levels before he was loaned out to SV Elversberg to get some experience under his belt. Upon his return to his previous club, he broke into their first-team.

He went on to score only two goals in 51 outings. However, that didn’t deter Stuttgart from signing him just over 12 months ago. Woltemade was a hit last term at the MHPArena and scored 17 goals altogether before Sebastian Hoeneß’s side were able to cash in on him and make a hefty profit.

Newcastle drew 0-0 with Leeds United at Elland Road in their last outing before the international break and lacked a cutting edge in attack. They are back in action next weekend against Wolves as they look to pick up all three points. Their upcoming opponents have lost all three of their fixtures so far this term under Vitor Pereira and will be looking to get their first win as well.