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Thiaw launches strong Nick defence after media criticism
Shields Gazette
|November 14, 2025
Nick Woltemade's £65million club record transfer to Newcastle United from VfB Stuttgart in the summer was the subject of much scrutiny, particularly in the German media.
Several high-profile pundits and Bayern Munich figures hit out at the transfer fee Newcastle had paid for the 23-year-old after Bayern were unable to strike a deal.
But Woltemade quickly demonstrated his value on Tyneside with five goals in his first six starts for Newcastle. The German international also scored a header against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup a fortnight ago.
Despite scoring just once in his last six outings for Newcastle, Woltemade went into the November international break with a respectable return of six goals in 12 starts for his new club.
While Woltemade has impressed on an individual level, the team are still dealing with the transition after losing a very different striker in Alexander Isak at the start of the season.
"I don't think we're functioning at our best level," Howe admitted.
This story is from the November 14, 2025 edition of Shields Gazette.
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