Nick Woltemade has ‘exceeded expectations’ – now Newcastle gamers want to assist him
Nick Woltemade’s current struggles had been to be anticipated, his Newcastle teammates haven’t given him sufficient service.
That’s the view of former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who has defended the Magpies’ report signing after a difficult first season in England.
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Woltemade joined the Toon from Stuttgart final summer time in a £69million deal to interchange Alexander Isak.
He bought off to a powerful begin at St. James’ Park, netting 4 instances in his open 5 Premier League outings.
Nevertheless, issues have taken a flip for the more serious since then, with the 24-year-old solely managing three additional league targets, none of which have been in 2026.
This has prompted supervisor Eddie Howe to tweak his place in an try to get the most effective out of him – beginning him up entrance, within the No.10 function, and even in central midfield, however to little avail.
Extra lately, Woltemade has been dropped to the bench, alongside fellow summer time signing Yoane Wissa, with Will Osula being most popular.
His struggles have seen him face some stinging criticism, together with being branded the worst signing in Premier League historical past.
Taking the Nick?
Doubts have begun to emerge over Woltemade’s long-term suitability at Newcastle, and talkSPORT understands striker Nicolas Jackson is on their checklist of summer time targets, who is about to return to Chelsea after his mortgage at Bayern Munich.
However Arsenal Invincible Lehmann has now defended his compatriot, who praised how rapidly he adjusted to Premier League soccer and insisted his dip in kind is inevitable for a younger participant.
Lehmann instructed talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs: “He over-exceeded my precise expectations at the start of the season.
“As a result of usually once you come to the Premier League from a league the place the soccer is somewhat bit slower, then it’s worthwhile to take time to regulate.
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“It usually takes three, 4 or 5 months. So he did rather well at the start.
“He most likely has to get better from that somewhat bit as a result of he is nonetheless a younger man. And we do not know his bodily particulars. So it could come all the way down to that.
“When it comes to Germany, I hope that he is getting higher, clearly [ahead of the World Cup].
“However for a younger participant, I believe it is fairly regular that you just can’t have this degree of presence and good performances all through your first Premier League season.”
Lehmann: It is not all Woltemade’s fault
Requested if he would persevere with Woltemade, Lehmann was adamant in his reply, insisting: “Sure, he is an excellent participant.
“Contemplating his measurement, technically he is gifted. And he is bought a improbable presence within the field. And he’ll come [good].”
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Lehmann then argued the blame shouldn’t lie solely with Woltemade over his current woes.
He claimed the Germany worldwide hasn’t been helped by his Newcastle teammates, insisting they have to take duty for creating possibilities for him.
It has been a disappointing marketing campaign for the Magpies, who sit 14th within the Premier League, and have little probability of qualifying for Europe.
Lehmann hinted at this, as he stated of Woltemade: “I believe typically for a striker in his place, it’s worthwhile to be ready for good assists and good deliveries.
“It is not solely all the way down to your self.”
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