Alan Shearer calls Newcastle star an ‘absolute failure’ over his shocking performance against Man City in the FA cup tie

Alan Shearer calls Newcastle star an ‘absolute failure’ over his shocking performance against Man City in the FA cup tie

Nick Woltemade, Newcastle United’s record signing, faced harsh criticism from club legend Alan Shearer following a disappointing performance in a recent high-profile match against Manchester City. While the specific tie referenced appears tied to broader struggles in encounters with City—including Premier League and cup fixtures—Shearer’s pointed remarks highlighted Woltemade’s underwhelming display and lack of impact.

In post-match analysis, Shearer did not hold back, describing elements of Woltemade’s contribution as falling well short of expectations for a player of his stature and price tag (around £64-69 million from VfB Stuttgart in 2025). Sources indicate Shearer labeled aspects of the German forward’s showing as “nowhere near good enough,” pointing to minimal touches, no shots, no goals or assists, and poor involvement across key games, including against City and others like Everton.

In one assessment tied to defensive lapses contributing to City’s goals, Shearer noted Woltemade “should do more” to prevent threats, alongside issues with positioning from teammates.The criticism stems from Woltemade’s adaptation challenges at St. James’ Park. Signed as a towering striker (6ft 6ins), the 24-year-old Germany international started brightly but has struggled for consistent form, scoring sparingly in recent months (just once in his last 19 appearances in some reports).

Eddie Howe has experimented with him in midfield roles to unlock his talents, but this shift has drawn scrutiny. Shearer questioned the setup as “a mess” in certain games and suggested Woltemade’s stats—such as low touches in the opposition box—highlight a player not yet delivering value.Despite the blunt words, Shearer acknowledged the conundrum for Howe: balancing Woltemade’s potential with team needs. Fans and pundits debate whether tactical tweaks or time will revive the forward.

For now, the “absolute failure” sentiment (echoed in fan discussions and headlines) captures frustration over a shocking lack of influence in big moments against elite sides like City in cup ties or league clashes.Newcastle’s hopes rest on Woltemade rediscovering his edge to justify the hype and silence critics like the Magpies’ iconic No. 9.