The Magpies legend understands why Woltemade has hit back at critics ahead of the World Cup
11:51, 13 Jun 2026Updated 12:31, 13 Jun 2026
Newcastle and Germany forward Nick Woltemade, and (inset) Alan Shearer with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards in New York
Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer insists he appreciates why Nick Woltemade has hit back at the critics after a tough first year at the club – but has doubled-down on concerns over his best role for the Magpies.
Woltemade has come in for stick from pundits over his poor second half of the season, which saw him score just one Premier League goal in 2026.
That came after a blistering start to his Newcastle career following his club record £69m move from Stuttgart. Woltemade bagged four goals in his firs five Premier League appearances, but the goals dried up after New Year.
He ended the season with 11 goals and five assists, but has slipped down the pecking order for Germany and is likely to start on the bench when his country kicks off their World Cup campaign against Curacao on Sunday.
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Speaking ahead of the tournament, Woltemade defended his output, saying: “I’m an ambitious person and always want to reach my full potential. That’s easiest to do in attack.
“But at Newcastle, I filled in at other positions, even as a defensive midfielder. Despite that, some pundits still considered me a striker. They’d ask, ‘Why does Nick score so few goals? Why isn’t he providing more assists?’ Those were the wrong questions, and I didn’t think they were entirely fair.
“A goal or an assist is expected of me in every game. But if I’m not playing in attack, it’s significantly more difficult for me to get into dangerous scoring positions. The intensity of the criticism and the resulting unrest surrounding me have certainly surprised me.”
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Shearer has often been vocal in wanting more from Woltemade, but acknowledges some of the issues can’t be laid at the feet of the striker.
“I get it and understand Woltemade’s feelings,” Shearer told Betfair. “I just don’t see him as a main centre-forward, which is not his fault
“I think it has been a tough season. He had a brilliant start, but it has been a tough season for him. But I understand his comments about unfair criticism.”
Speaking earlier this summer, Shearer explained why Newcastle needed a new centre-forward in the transfer window despite spending £124m on Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last year.
“I think signing a striker for Newcastle is crucial in this transfer window, but you name me a club that does not have a centre-forward that’s going to be crucial to their plans,” Shearer told Betfair.
“Out of the 20 Premier League clubs, I could give you 12 or 13 that are looking for that exact same player. And they’re all probably shopping in the same market. They’ve all got their scouting networks all over the world, looking for the next £70-80 million pound player that will be sold in five or six years’ time, but everyone is after that.
“It’s a really, really important summer for Newcastle. I do believe last summer’s transfer window has set them back two years but we have to accept that and get on with it. They’re still in a healthy position, and it’ll be a really important, interesting summer ahead for Newcastle.”