Nick Woltemade spoke to DAZN about his first impressions after joining Juventus, working with Luciano Spalletti, his relationship with Sandro Tonali and his football idols.
The German forward did not hide his enthusiasm for his new club and life in Italy, and he spoke in particular about the possibility of leading the Bianconeri attack together with Randal Kolo Muani.
JUVENTUS AND LIFE IN ITALY
Woltemade admits a period of adaptation lies ahead, especially when it comes to the Italian language, but he stresses that he is more than happy with his decision to continue his career in Turin.
"I still have a lot to learn and understand, starting with the language, but I am very happy to be here. This is the best club in Italy and I really love the Italian way of life."
TONALI TOLD HIM: "GREAT CHOICE"
Before joining Juventus, Woltemade discussed the possible transfer with Sandro Tonali, who knows Italian football very well.
"I have a great relationship with Tonali. I spoke to him a few days before the start of the season about the possibility of moving to Juventus and he told me: 'Great choice.' He and Thiaw always spoke very positively about the Italian league. Tonali sent me a message and congratulated me after I signed."
SPALLETTI? "HE HAS AN INCREDIBLE AURA"
A particularly interesting part of the conversation concerned his first meeting with Luciano Spalletti. The Italian coach left a strong impression not only on Woltemade but also on his family.
"When I first met him together with my family, we all thought the same thing – aura. He has an incredible aura. He seems calm, but he knows very clearly what he wants, both on the pitch and off it. He helps me a lot and I am sure I will become a better player with him."
SPALLETTI'S FRIESIAN HORSE COMPARISON
Spalletti had earlier compared the German forward to a Friesian horse, and Woltemade explained with a smile how he understood his coach's unusual compliment.
"I know about Spalletti's comparison. I have never seen that breed of horse in Germany, but I know he was trying to describe me as a tall player who is good with the ball and a good guy who gets along with everyone. I hope to see one in person one day."
BUFFON COMPARED HIM TO IBRAHIMOVIĆ
The words of Gianluigi Buffon, who mentioned Woltemade in the context of Zlatan Ibrahimović, also attracted a lot of attention.
"It is incredible that someone mentions me in the same sentence as Ibrahimović, especially when Buffon does it. Buffon is a legend and I am already proud that he said my name. I hope one day I can say I repeated what Ibra achieved."
IBRAHIMOVIĆ WAS HIS IDOL
Woltemade does not hide that Ibrahimović is one of the players he followed most while growing up.
"Ibrahimović has always been my idol. I loved watching him for his technique, skill and movement, and I learned a lot watching him. He has always been one of my idols."
WOLTEMADE AND KOLO MUANI CAN PLAY TOGETHER
One of the most important questions for Spalletti will be how to fit Woltemade and Kolo Muani together. The German believes the two of them can share the pitch without any problem.
"I can play as a number ten behind the striker and move around him, as I did at Stuttgart and as I already did against Milan with Kolo Muani. We can swap positions."
That possibility gives Spalletti extra flexibility in attack, especially since Woltemade does not see himself exclusively as a classic number nine.
THE GOAL IS TO REPEAT THE STUTTGART SEASON
Finally, the German forward did not hide his ambitions for his first season in the black and white shirt.
"I hope I can repeat the season I had at Stuttgart, when I scored 17 goals and won the German Cup. I would love to achieve something similar here."
Source: DAZN
