Ravanelli doubts Woltemade lacks the profile for Juventus' level

While Juventus Turin hopes that the expensive signing of Nick Woltemade will spark the attacking play, club icon Fabrizio Ravanelli expresses doubt that the 24‑year‑old German has the profile for the next level. The former 1996 Champions League winner criticised the young striker’s style of play and emphasised that Juventus Turin needs more width and aerial strength.

Ravanelli’s Doubts About the Profile

Ravanelli explained that Woltemade is not a classic centre‑forward, because in that role one must attack the near post well, be strong in the air and have a sense for goals, including tap‑ins. He works better when he drops back and acts more as a supporting striker. Moreover, he does not believe that Woltemade has the profile to take the team to the next level, and a player like Osimhen would have been ideal.

Nevertheless, Ravanelli sees Juventus fundamentally on a good path: within two to three years the record champion could win the title again. With players such as Yildiz, Alajabegovic, Kolo Muani and possibly another striker, the club already has six or seven individuals who are ready for a Serie A triumph.

Press Criticism and Spalletti’s Defense

After the 2‑3 loss to US Sassuolo, in which Woltemade featured from the 60th minute, La wrote that he still has “a lot to learn and must get used to the level of the Italian league.” The newspaper complained that the forwards still need to find each other and that Woltemade is not yet able to locate the right position. Coach Luciano Spalletti tried to counter this and said before the Europa League match against NEC Nijmegen that he was not in particularly good shape upon his arrival and would need to be built up first.

In the duel with the Dutch, Woltemade showed responsibility in the starting eleven for the first time: after a selfless gesture from Nicolas Gonzalez, who handed him the ball for a penalty, he converted the spot‑kick in the 35th minute to make it 3‑0. Kolo Muani scored after coming on, and the match ended 5‑0. La later praised the goal debut as a confidence boost, while the Corriere dello Sport highlighted that Woltemade remained cool‑blooded on the first penalty.

Woltemade commented after the match: “It was a nice evening. However, I am not yet completely satisfied with my performances. I want to improve further to help my team.”

The 24‑year‑old German moved for roughly €90 million from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United, saw little playing time there and remained a squad player despite new coaches such as Matthias Jaissle. The subsequent loan to Juventus Turin finally gave him regular minutes. He is already in the World Cup squad under Julian Nagelsmann and has been selected by new national team coach Jürgen Klopp for the Nations League matches against Serbia and Greece.