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Newcastle’s recent high-profile signing, Nick Woltemade, has already netted four goals in his first seven matches for the Premier League club. However, the 23-year-old is yet to find the back of the net in his five outings for the German national team. Despite this, German head coach Julian Nagelsmann is confident that Woltemade will soon score his first international goal.
Woltemade was not on the scoresheet during Germany’s commanding 4-0 victory over Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers last Friday. As the team readies for their second qualifying match in Belfast during the October international break, Woltemade is facing mounting pressure. The coach has consistently named him the starting centre forward in all five of his senior appearances.
“Nick just needs to stay focused,” Nagelsmann said during a press conference on Sunday before the team departed. “He’s performing well at Newcastle and has scored multiple times there. He’ll score for us as well. It might take him another five games, or even six or seven, but that’s perfectly fine. He will find the net, and once he does, there will be more to follow.”
Following Germany’s surprising defeat to Slovakia during the previous international break, Woltemade was booed by fans in Köln after an underwhelming first half against Northern Ireland in their second qualifying match. The team’s performance only improved after Woltemade was substituted in the 61st minute.
Nagelsmann expressed his continued support for Woltemade despite the negative reaction from the crowd. The young forward faced additional criticism on Friday in Sinsheim after missing an early chance and appeared to struggle somewhat following a recent flu-like illness. Some fans voiced their displeasure, connecting his fitness to his move away from the Bundesliga.
“We don’t need to concern ourselves with the reactions from the crowd,” Nagelsmann commented on Friday’s events during a Sunday press briefing. “What’s important is that we stay focused and committed.”