Woltemade praises Juventus as 'biggest club in Italy' in interview

New Juventus recruit Nick Woltemade says that he is happy to be at ‘the biggest club in Italy’, has named Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz among his biggest role models and has explained why it is difficult to compare himself to other elite centre-forwards: ‘It’s not often you see a tall guy play like me’.

Woltemade joined Juventus on a season-long loan deal from Newcastle United on the final day of the summer transfer window, coming in at an initial cost of just €2.8m for the 2026-27 campaign.

Nick Woltemade completes his loan move from Newcastle United to Juventus, sat with director Giovanni Carnevali (juventus.com) Juventus also welcomed Pape Matar Sarr on loan with an option to buy from Tottenham on deadline day, following the previous summer acquisitions of Randal Kolo Muani, Kerim Alajbegovic, Jhon Lucumi, Guglielmo Vicario, Jeff Ekhator, Zeki Celik and Kamil Grabara.

Read more: Top 10 most expensive Serie A signings of 2026 summer transfer window Woltemade gives his first Juventus interview: ‘You expect me to just play physically, but …’ Woltemade has recently given his first interview as a new Juventus player, discussing his style of play, his role models and his goals for the 2026-27 season in a discussion with the club’s media channels.

“Of course I’m really, really happy to be here. It’s a big club, of course,” Woltemade began.

Nick Woltemade and Weston McKennie in training with Juventus (@juventus via X) “I’m excited for this new adventure, another new country for me. I’m really happy to play at a big club like this, the biggest club in Italy, so I’m really happy and really proud of myself, my family, my agency and all the guys at Juventus who made it happen. I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

It had been widely reported in Italy that Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti wanted a ‘physical’ centre-forward to compete and rotate with Kolo Muani. However, even though Woltemade comes in at a towering 1.98m in height, he feels that his best attributes are technical rather than physical.

“You expect me to just play physically, but I think my best quality is my technique and my understanding of the game,” Woltemade explained.

“I think I’m a smart player, I can score goals, I can make assists, I can make the last pass for my teammates. I think I’m good at finding the right position on the pitch. All together, this is my game style. It’s not often you see a tall guy play like me.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 25: Nick Woltemade #11 of Germany arrives before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) The Germany international was asked if he has had an opportunity to watch Juventus in their first few Serie A matches of the 2026-27 season and how he thinks he can help the team this term.

He replied: “It’s important that we won both games. I think I can bring a bit of everything. What’s important is I can score goals and can help the team to win. Of course I want to do that and I’m really happy to be at a team like Juventus, a lot of ball control, a lot of time on the ball and I think the best comes out of me in these situations.”

Still only 23, Woltemade has experience in the Bundesliga and Premier League and is now set to earn his taste of Serie A action in the coming weeks as well.

“Last year I moved to England and could take a lot from that, like physicality wise, smartness in the game. Now I’m really happy to be in Italy to play in another top club, especially now with Juventus at a really big club.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park on August 26, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) “For me it’s always difficult to talk about my goals beforehand, I just want to enjoy the moment. I think when I enjoy the moment, I bring the best of myself to the pitch.”

Woltemade was also asked about his football role models, but went on to explain that it is difficult for him to draw comparisons to others given the combination of his physique and style of play.

“It’s difficult because I’m so tall, there aren’t many players as tall as me. I think I take a bit from everyone: Zlatan Ibrahimovic I always liked to watch because he’s also really tall and has great technique. Kai Havertz I like a lot, he’s also a friend of mine. I always take a bit from everyone.”