Niclas Fullkrug has made a very slow start to life with West Ham United since his big summer transfer.
West Ham hitman Niclas Fullkrug suffered a huge injury blow last week, whilst away on international duty with Germany.
And that really summed up his first six weeks with the Hammers.
The injury suffered by the big German really was terrible timing, after Julen Lopetegui had just been handed the blueprint to success regarding the striker’s problems, when he a scored for his country during a 5-0 win over Hungary.
West Ham paid more than £25 million to bring Fullkrug to the London Stadium in the summer, and that is already looking like a questionable decision.
The Hammers have received plenty of criticism for signing Fullkrug from fans and pundits alike.
However, the club have just been dealt the ultimate insult to injury…
West Ham receive Niclas Fullkrug putdown that adds insult to injury
The Hammers fans are already questioning why the club didn’t push the boat out to sign Jhon Duran in the summer, rather than Fullkrug.
And now someone who knows the striker very well has had his say on the situation.
Bundesliga expert and commentator Derek Rae sat down to speak with Hammers Chat about the Fullkrug signing.
And he suggested that the club have overpaid for the 31-year-old.
Rae said, “Yes they probably have overpaid. In Germany there is a price, then there is a Premier League price.“
“At 31, Dortmund would have been happy with that fee, without a doubt. Also Fullkrug did not feel appreciated there. Dortmund didn’t have the greatest season last season, so it was felt like the right move to allow Fullkrug to depart.”
Fullkrug can still succeed at West Ham
The Germany international hasn’t hit the ground running at the London Stadium, and the Achilles injury that he’s just sustained certainly won’t help matters.
However, we must be patient with him, and allow him time to adjust to life in London and Lopetegui’s tactics.
It is never easy for strikers after moving to a new league, with the pressure really cranked up on them to start well.
Lopetegui’s decision to bring Fullkrug to the London Stadium may well end up being a masterstroke or a huge mistake, we just don’t know yet.
One thing’s for sure, Lopetegui needs to set up his team with his wingers playing more narrow, if he’s to get the best out of Niclas Fullkrug at West Ham.
Only time will tell as to whether the Hammers head coach made the correct decision by bringing him to the London Stadium.
Hopefully he shakes off his injury in time to feature for the Hammers against Chelsea on Saturday.
One thing I will say is that West Ham clearly overpaid for Fullkrug. Let’s hope that he proves people wrong, and ends up being worth every penny.
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