Newcastle United’s decision to let Nick Woltemade leave has quickly become part of the discussion around his Juventus move.
The German attacker joined Juventus on deadline day, only a year after Newcastle spent €100m (£86.5m) to sign him. His spell at St James’ Park did not go as hoped, and the Magpies were prepared to move on. That has given Italian pundits plenty to talk about.
Massimo Marianella has made it clear he is not convinced Juventus have landed the right man. Speaking about Woltemade’s move, the Sky Sport journalist said: “I’ve never liked him. I can be completely honest – I’ve never liked him.”
He added that he hopes Woltemade proves him wrong and scores “100 goals” in Turin. Still, the doubts are there.
“A player without a role”
Marianella feels Woltemade’s issue is not talent, but where exactly he fits. He pointed to the player’s varied roles in Germany, where he featured through the middle, behind a striker and out wide.
That uncertainty followed him to Newcastle, where he failed to establish himself.
“I commented on him in both roles and with both shirts at Stuttgart and Werder Bremen,” Marianella said. “Then he went to Newcastle and clearly failed, which is why Newcastle got rid of him.”
“Potentially, he is a second striker. In Germany, he started out as a winger. But that is because he is a player without a role. He is not a striker – he can try to be a striker.”
The commentator does see one route for Woltemade to hurt opponents. At 1.98m, he believes the German can be difficult to handle when arriving late into the box.
“He becomes lethal when he hides a little among the leaves,” Marianella said. “It is difficult at 1.98m, but if he arrives from deep and has good timing, then he is hard to mark.
A pretty hefty kicking for a player Juventus have just brought in.
There is a more positive view
Not everyone in Italy sees Woltemade’s arrival the same way. Journalist Stefano Borghi has described the Juventus move as “a great signing” from the final day of the window.
He accepts the 2025-26 campaign disappointed, but feels Newcastle’s situation played a major part.
According to Borghi, Eddie Howe’s needs often led to Woltemade being used wide, which limited his goalscoring output.
“He did not score very much because he was often used more as a winger,” Borghi said. “Spalletti did well to immediately make him understand what his responsibilities will be”.
“He will have to be a finisher, with a strike and also with his head.”
For Newcastle, the debate now plays out from a distance. Woltemade did not deliver enough in England, but Juventus believe Luciano Spalletti can give him a much clearer job.
