Howe Confident Woltemade's Positional Change Won't Impact Germany World Cup Selection
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has firmly stated that his tactical decision to convert £69 million striker Nick Woltemade into a midfielder should not adversely affect the player's chances of representing Germany as their No.9 at the upcoming World Cup. The 24-year-old forward, who had endured a 14-game goal drought while playing as a centre-forward, has been revitalised in a new No.8 role over the last three matches.
Strategic Shift Mirrors Previous Success with Joelinton
Howe's move echoes his successful transformation of misfiring forward Joelinton four years ago, bringing the club-record signing back into the engine room where his performances have markedly improved. This strategic repositioning has seen winger Anthony Gordon preferred in attack, with Woltemade now operating as part of a three-man midfield setup that leverages his technical abilities.
The primary concern surrounding this change centres on how Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann will perceive Woltemade's new role. Nagelsmann has consistently deployed the former Stuttgart player as a frontline spearhead this season, resulting in four goals from eight international appearances. However, Howe remains optimistic about the national team's perspective.
Howe Emphasises Role Similarities and Player Development
'The role isn't dissimilar to how Germany have used him anyway,' Howe explained. 'They've played him as a No.9 and have asked him to come into lower positions. I don't think it's a big change and I'm sure their manager will look at it and go, "If he's doing well for Newcastle and he's playing minutes, then that's only going to help his cause".'
The Newcastle manager further elaborated that Woltemade's development in any position would ultimately benefit his international prospects. 'In terms of his Germany career, without speaking for Nick, I think him playing well in any position for us is only going to help supplement that. They know what he can do, coming through the youth system there. They'll have no doubts about his strengths and what he can offer the national team.'
Woltemade's Adaptation and Future Prospects
Despite scoring 10 goals for Newcastle this season, Woltemade's immediate future appears firmly rooted in midfield. Howe clarified that even when deployed as a No.9, the player's role involved dropping deeper rather than stretching the defensive line. 'Nick is very happy playing the role that he has done the last few games, there's no fight with him on that. He's very much all in because he wants to showcase his best skills and his best skills are technically helping us link play.'
The manager highlighted Woltemade's tactical freedom within the system, noting: 'He does have a freedom on the ball to take up central positions and to drift to a degree across the pitch, so he's not in a stranglehold by the position in one place.'
Howe expressed particular satisfaction with how Woltemade has navigated the challenges of his first season in English football. 'The hardest season for any new player from a different country is always going to be the first one. Nick had a great start but there was always going to be a period where he found it difficult, where teams were desperate to stop him.'
Looking ahead to Wednesday's Champions League second leg play-off against Qarabag, where Newcastle hold a commanding 6-1 aggregate lead, Howe concluded: 'The future's exciting regardless of which position he plays in. Nick was always in our thoughts as very much a deep-lying player, a deep-lying number nine. All his best work came from starting higher and coming lower. Now, just starting lower and staying in the middle line, I don't think is a great change. I've been very impressed with him.'
