Nick Woltemade’s loan spell away from Newcastle United has seen the player receive endless criticism from the Italian media, even if some fans have been backing him. More has now come in the direction of the striker.

Sport Witness have tracked how doubts in Turin are growing about the German’s suitability to Luciano Spalletti’s side. The manager had initially questioned his traits and wanted him to adapt and become more of a pure number nine.

The failure to do that means Woltemade is yet to score once in Serie A. He does have three Europa League goals but two have come from the penalty spot.

While Juve beat Napoli at the weekend when the Newcastle United loanee started, criticism continues to rise.

Player compared to Lorenzo Lucca

Journalist Gianni Visnadi spoke to Radio Sportiva about the Germany international and Juve’s decision to sign him.

He compared Woltemade to Lorenzo Lucca, who struggled at Napoli after a poor loan at Nottingham Forest.

He said – via Golssip: “Look, I think you should ask, not me, but the person who paid €90m for him, putting him in a market position that isn’t his. Because Woltemade can’t be a player of that calibre.”

“Woltemade is a player like many others, he’s a Lucca with a moustache, he’s also blond, curly-haired, but he’s a player like many others, in fact even much less of a centre-forward than Lucca in that sense, but he’s not a player of that caliber.”

The journalist also questioned Newcastle United’s decision to spend a huge amount on Woltemade.

“Juventus is still a sick team, we could say they’ll start convalescing when they’ve played two or three games like the one against Napoli, especially the second half. It wasn’t Juventus who paid Woltemade €90m, but Newcastle in the summer of 2025? Of course, I took it for granted. Juventus have him on loan.”

He also criticised the signing as desperate, as it took place on deadline day.

“On the last afternoon of the transfer window, Juventus was desperate, because after spending €45m on a centre-forward, who isn’t a centre-forward that they went looking for.”

Our take: Criticism going over the top

The 24-year-old hasn’t impressed in Turin but a lot of it is because of Juve’s own struggles. They are yet to figure out ideas in attack and Spalletti’s side still lack an identity right now.

Besides, it feels like the Newcastle United loanee and Randal Kolo Muani can’t play together. They are very similar and this leaves Juve short in the goalscoring department.

Clearly, the German has been mis-profiled and his strengths won’t be used well at the club.