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“Big Nick” is history as Woltemade seeks a fresh start in Turin
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

“Big Nick” is history as Woltemade seeks a fresh start in Turin

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth From a news agency New plan
  • Germany international Nick Woltemade has moved from Newcastle United to Juventus on loan until next summer for a reported fee of four to five million euros.
  • The 24-year-old struggled for regular playing time at Newcastle after initially gaining a high profile in England as “Big Nick.”
  • Woltemade hopes the move will revive his form and help him return to Germany’s starting lineup under new coach Jürgen Klopp.

Nick Woltemade is starting over in Turin. The 24-year-old striker presented Juventus’ black-and-white shirt with a serious expression, joining a club whose colors resemble those of Newcastle United, the team he left after a turbulent year in England.

Almost exactly a year earlier, Woltemade had moved from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle in a deal reportedly worth up to 90 million euros. English fans celebrated him as “Big Nick,” and he initially scored spectacular penalties. His reputation then turned sharply. After he hit the goalkeeper’s arm with an attempt at the World Cup, social media users branded him a failure and a bench player.

next chapter

— Nick WoltemadeWoltemade used the phrase in a social media post announcing his Juventus move.

Now at Juventus, Woltemade has called the move his “next chapter.” In a presentation video on the Italian club’s website, he said he was happy to be in Turin and wanted to help the team win with goals, assists and final passes.

the best league in the world

— Nick WoltemadeHe used the description when discussing his earlier hopes of playing in the Premier League.

The move represents a step down from the stage Woltemade had anticipated at Newcastle. He had looked forward to playing in the Champions League and the Premier League, which he called “the best league in the world.” Juventus are not in the Champions League, while Serie A currently trails the Premier League both financially and competitively. For Woltemade, however, the immediate priorities are more goals, more matches and renewed confidence. He wants his penalties to start flying into the corners again and hopes new Germany coach Jürgen Klopp will restore him to the starting lineup.

The loan has attracted criticism in Germany. Former international Dietmar Hamann said, “I would have stayed in Newcastle. I would have preferred to see him move to BVB. I don’t really like the move.” Reports had linked Woltemade with Borussia Dortmund, but no transfer materialized. At Newcastle, he had played only 19 minutes across the first two league matches under new German coach Matthias Jaissle. His overall record there stood at 53 competitive appearances, most of them as a substitute, and 11 goals.

I would have stayed in Newcastle. I would have preferred to see him move to BVB. I don’t really like the move.

— Dietmar HamannHamann criticized Woltemade’s decision to join Juventus on loan.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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