Karl-Heinz Riedle has a particular connection to both clubs in this story. He played for Werder Bremen between 1987 and 1990 — the very club where Nick Woltemade was developed — and he scored against Juventus in the 1997 Champions League final in Munich, helping Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 victory over Marcello Lippi’s side. He also spent three seasons at Lazio, scoring 30 goals between 1990 and 1993, making him one of the German centre-forwards who thrived in Italian football during the era Gazzetta evokes as the backdrop to Woltemade’s arrival.
La Gazzetta dello Sport notes the historical thread pleasingly: Juventus have had fine Germans across the decades — from Haller to Kohler, from Möller to Khedira — but never, until now, the classical German centre-forward that so defined Serie A in the 1980s and 1990s. Between the Ballon d’Or of Rummenigge at Inter and the goals of Klinsmann, Völler, and Bierhoff, there was a generation of German strikers who found Italy a natural home. Woltemade, at 198 centimetres and recently arrived from Newcastle after Stuttgart convinced the Magpies to spend €75 million a year ago, is the latest candidate.
“More of a Nine-and-a-Half Than a Traditional Centre-Forward”
The first and most important clarification Riedle makes is about the nature of Woltemade’s profile. “He is more of a nine-and-a-half than a traditional centre-forward. He is very tall, it is true, but he has delicate feet — do not worry, he knows perfectly well where the goal is.”
It is a precise and reassuring verdict for Juventus supporters who might have assumed, from the height alone, that they were getting a pure aerial battering-ram. He is not. He is something more versatile — capable of dropping deep, linking play, and operating as a second striker as well as a pure nine.
“In Certain Movements He Reminds Me of the Young Ibrahimović — but Ibra Is Ibra”
The comparison that will generate the most discussion was handled with appropriate care. Asked which great German centre-forward he would compare Woltemade to, Riedle declined to reach for a German name. “He has fairly unique characteristics. It is difficult to compare him to a German striker. Rather — with the appropriate proportions — in certain movements he reminds me of the young Ibrahimović. But Ibra is Ibra.”
On the physical resemblance to Rudi Völler — blond hair, moustache — Riedle was dismissive: “In looks, yes, but the similarities end there. They are very different strikers.”
“He Can Play as a Second Striker Alongside Kolo Muani in a 4-4-2”
On the tactical picture at Juventus, Riedle’s vision was specific. “Woltemade is a mobile and versatile attacker. He can start as a second striker and play alongside Kolo Muani in a kind of 4-4-2.” It is an intriguing suggestion — one that aligns with Spalletti’s own stated openness to tactical flexibility depending on the opposition.
“He Scored a Lot at Stuttgart — and Important Goals for Germany Before the World Cup”
On which version of Woltemade Juventus are getting, Riedle was balanced and honest. “In England he started well, then I do not know what happened in the second half of the season. Woltemade scored a great deal at Stuttgart, but he also scored important goals for Germany before the World Cup.”
“If He Feels Spalletti’s Trust, He Will Hit Double Figures — Maybe Around Fifteen”
The prediction was delivered with a personal dimension that gives it added credibility. “If he feels the trust of Spalletti, he will hit double figures — maybe around fifteen. My son knows Woltemade personally and tells me he is a good lad — sunny and fun-loving, like you Italians.”
It is the warmest endorsement of the article — and the most human. A German legend’s son vouching for a German striker’s character, on the eve of his Italian adventure. The new Juventus has its final signing. If Riedle’s son is right about the personality, and Riedle himself is right about the goals, it will have been worth the wait.
