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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has urged club-record signing Nick Woltemade to raise his performance level to help revive the team’s struggling Premier League season.
The Magpies resume domestic action against Manchester City on Saturday, currently languishing in 14th place despite showcasing far stronger form in the Champions League.
Woltemade, signed from Stuttgart for £69 million in the summer, made an immediate impact by scoring five goals in his first eight appearances across all competitions.
However, the German international has found the net only once in his last six outings for the club.
His confidence received a timely boost during the international break, where he struck three goals in World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia.
Speaking on Friday, Howe praised the 23-year-old’s adaptation but said more is required as the season progresses.
“Given the limited training time we’ve had with him, he has done really well and tried to take on board everything we’ve asked,” Howe said.
“He started brightly in front of the goal, and those goals for his country will be a huge lift. Confidence is everything for a striker, and he should be pleased — but we still need more from him because he’s the focal point of our attack.”
Newcastle’s attacking burden has been heightened by the absence of fellow summer arrival Yoane Wissa, who cost £55 million but has yet to feature due to a knee injury, increasing pressure on Woltemade to deliver.
