The circumstances surrounding West Ham‘s summer transfer splurge continue to dominate media comments and pundits and former players alike continue to voice their own opinions. Whatever the opinion, Julen Lopetegui has been left with the ‘Antonio or Ings’ selection headache brought on by having the summer’s headline striker disappear on long term sick leave with no idea when he may be back.
Niclas Fullkrug was the attacking signing prioritised by Steidten who ‘missed’ Jhon Duran and picked up the 31 year old Fullkrug instead.
This left West Ham with a trio of thirty-something strikers and I think if I remember correctly was the catalyst for my ‘Dad’s Army’ recruitment jibe in August.
Reo-Coker is critical of Hammers’ choice in the summer
Now former Hammers skipper Nigel Reo-Coker has voiced his own opinion on the BBC’s Football Daily podcast – and it is clear he’s made up his mind on West Ham’s choice.
“When I’m looking at the price they paid for Fullkrug, and I’m looking at the other striker from Stuttgart. Guirassy, who left Stuttgart to go to Borussia Dortmund, and he’s playing Champions League football. They only paid £18m for him.
And he’s younger than Fullkrug, who’s in his thirties, that West Ham paid roughly about 27 or 37 million pounds for – that’s when it starts to be questionable.”
At the moment, given Fullkrug’s injury status and rumours circulating that he might even be considered for a quick ‘exit’ in January – ‘Questionable’ isn’t the right word.
