Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has offered a distinctive appraisal of new signing Nick Woltemade following the German striker’s promising debut against AC Milan. Woltemade, on loan from Newcastle, entered the match in the 75th minute with Juventus trailing by a goal and nearly made an immediate impact, though his shot narrowly missed the target.
A Memorable Debut and a Striking Comparison
Despite the missed opportunity, Woltemade played a crucial role in securing a late equalizer for Juventus. In stoppage time, he successfully drew a free-kick, which Federico Gatti converted with a header, salvaging a valuable point for the Turin club. Following the game, Spalletti drew a colorful parallel between his new acquisition and a Friesian horse, a breed renowned for its imposing stature and flowing mane.
Speaking to Tuttosport, Spalletti elaborated on his unusual comparison: “What type of horse is he? I have a Friesian, he seems very similar to me. He is statuesque, he inspires a bit of fear from a physical point of view and then he is very sweet and lets himself be stroked and ridden.” He further described the Friesian horse as being known for its all-black coat, long mane and tail, and distinctive leg feathering, noting its high head carriage and spirited gait.
Player’s Demeanor and Team Integration
The Juventus manager continued his assessment, highlighting Woltemade’s positive attributes beyond his physical presence. “He becomes very good also in relations with his teammates. He’s good at holding his own physically, and ever since I met him, he’s been smiling constantly. He’s so happy to be here, and that’s already a big thing,” Spalletti remarked.
Woltemade joined Juventus on a season-long loan from Newcastle on deadline day for a fee of £3.5 million, with no option or obligation to buy. Spalletti also lauded the player’s technical abilities, stating, “With Nick you can play the ball on his feet, he knows how to play horizontally and can also be used vertically because he has this physicality and this height. Usually it is difficult to find these two worlds in the same player.” He contrasted this with taller players who might be strong finishers but less adept at linking play, emphasizing Woltemade’s unique blend of physical attributes and relational playmaking. “The two-metre-tall one is a finisher perhaps in the area but then he is less relational on the pitch, but instead he has both things and then he has this great quality of being very joyful and very festive also in the way he behaves on the pitch.”
Adapting to Serie A and Premier League Influence
While Woltemade had a strong start to his Premier League career with Newcastle last season, scoring four goals in his first five appearances, his form dipped later in the campaign, with only one additional goal scored between mid-December and the season’s end. Spalletti acknowledged that the player might need time to adapt to Serie A but noted an advantage in Woltemade’s familiarity with similar team colors from his previous club.
“I can help him in the pressure he will encounter at this club, even if we start with an advantage because he has the same colours he wore in the previous team (Newcastle),” Spalletti explained. “I told him that we were waiting for a player of this level and this quality. He brings with him the context of the Premier League, where everything is more physical, faster, and more determined in terms of game situations. Bringing a bit of Premier League into our team raises our level. We’re happy.”
Newcastle’s Transfer Strategy
Newcastle United, despite signing winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo for £51.4 million on the same deadline day, did not bring in a direct replacement for Woltemade in the center-forward position.
Spalletti’s colorful and detailed assessment underscores his optimism about Woltemade’s potential contribution to Juventus, highlighting both his physical presence and his engaging personality as key assets for the team.
