Newcastle United ahead Nick Woltemade has “exceeded expectations” in his first season at St James’ Park, former Germany worldwide Jens Lehmann has claimed.
Woltemade, who turned Newcastle’s club-record signing in August in a £69million transfer because the Magpies tried to fill the void left by Alexander Isak’s £125m departure to Liverpool, has come underneath important scrutiny as an early robust begin to the 24-year-old’s profession on the membership has tailed off.
The Germany striker scored six objectives in his first 11 video games for Newcastle however has not discovered the online within the Premier League since December. Woltemade’s final objective got here within the FA Cup win at Aston Villa on February 14.
With Anthony Gordon and, extra lately, Will Osula most well-liked up entrance, Woltemade has frolicked taking part in in a deeper midfield function and has been restricted to cameo appearances off the bench in Newcastle’s final three matches of an alarming Premier League stoop, shedding 4 successive matches by a single objective to take a seat 14th.
Woltemade’s debut season on Tyneside has divided opinion, and people who imagine he ought to return to the XI have been provided proof to assist that declare in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal final Saturday, when Woltemade performed an outstanding ball over the Gunners’ defence for Yoane Wissa — one other summer time signing who has struggled — just for the DR Congo striker to volley over from shut vary.
Lehmann urges Newcastle to stay with Woltemade
Woltemade has 14 direct objective involvements in all competitions this season and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann believes that represents a formidable return for a participant who had restricted top-flight expertise in Germany earlier than his transfer from Stuttgart.
“He over-exceeded my precise expectations originally of the season,” Lehmann informed talkSPORT.
“Usually whenever you come to the Premier League from a league the place the soccer is just a little bit slower, you want to take time to regulate.
“It usually takes three, 4 or 5 months. So he did very well originally.
“He most likely has to get well from that just a little bit as a result of he’s nonetheless a younger man. And we don’t know his bodily particulars. So it might come all the way down to that.
“When it comes to Germany, I hope that he’s getting higher [ahead of the World Cup].
“For a younger participant, it’s fairly regular that you just can not have this degree of presence and good performances all through your first Premier League season.”
Requested if he would stick with Woltemade, Lehmann mentioned: “Sure, he’s an excellent participant.
“Contemplating his measurement, technically he’s gifted. And he’s obtained a implausible presence within the field. He’ll come [good].
“Typically, for a striker in his place, you want to be ready for good assists and good deliveries.
“It’s not solely all the way down to your self.”
