Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade has been ripped apart by the Italian press just weeks into his loan spell at Juventus, with one newspaper accusing the German striker of "doing everything wrong."
Woltemade, 24, joined Newcastle earlier this year for a reported £69million fee before being sent to Juventus on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day. He has made two substitute appearances for the Turin club so far.
The criticism intensified after Juventus lost 3-2 to Sassuolo on Sunday, a game in which Woltemade missed two clear-cut chances. Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport said he was "clearly having major problems integrating himself into the team's dynamic."
"He tried his best. But in the decisive moments, he lacks clarity in his actions, which is particularly noticeable in these games where every action can be crucial," the paper wrote. It added: "Woltemade squanders: The German lacks precision and does everything wrong."
Kolo Muani also under fire
Woltemade has been joined in the firing line by fellow attacker Randal Kolo Muani, who struggled on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last season and has since moved to Juventus. The pair were two of the Serie A club's marquee summer signings and are yet to make a difference on the pitch, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Four games and not a single goal, plus several scenes that quickly circulated as mocking social media clips among rival fans," the paper wrote. "Clumsy ball control, botched back heel flicks that landed at the feet of the opposition, and, what is particularly troubling, hardly any dangerous scoring opportunities. No, this cannot continue. Juventus' attack is not working."
Corriere dello Sport was similarly brutal in its assessment, writing: "How annoying is it when the very new signings you chased for months (and paid far too much for) turn out to be the biggest disappointments of the team?"
Spalletti's horse comparison
The fresh criticism follows an unusual comment from Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, who compared Woltemade to a horse after the striker's debut. Woltemade had come off the bench in the 75th minute against AC Milan with Juventus trailing 1-0.
He nearly had an immediate impact when the ball fell to him in the penalty area, swinging a boot at it, but he could not keep his shot down. Woltemade later won a stoppage-time free-kick that Juventus capitalised on, with Federico Gatti heading home a dramatic equaliser to secure a point against Ruben Amorim's Milan side.
Spalletti told Tuttosport that Woltemade reminded him of his own Friesian horse, a breed known for its long, flowing mane and tail. "What type of horse is he? I have a Friesian, he seems very similar to me," Spalletti said. "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 becomes very good also in relations with his teammates," Spalletti added. "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."
What's next for Juventus
Juventus have taken seven points from their opening four Serie A games this season. They return to action on Thursday when they host NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League.
