Michail Antonio‘s call-up for Jamaica has undoubtedly refocused attention on the importance of West Ham’s summer signing Niclas Fullkrug.
The Reggae Boyz face the USA over two legs during the international break, first on Friday, November 15, and then traveling for a second leg on November 19. Antonio will then fly home before West Ham face Newcastle at St. James’ Park on November 25, meaning the Hammers may well expect a fatigued striker returning from Jamaica duty.
Danny Ings looked sharp enough against Everton, denied only by an excellent Jordan Pickford save. Arguably, he deserves a chance to start, but Fullkrug’s return was promised long ago, and we need him now.
The German international has more TV and podcast appearances to his name this season than games for West Ham, and it’s becoming increasingly evident that his mystery injury is far worse than first thought.
Understandably, the club is spinning the narrative that everyone at London Stadium is pleased with the summer transfer business, but that can’t be true. If Fullkrug had been purchased from Amazon, he’d have been returned by now with a full refund demanded.
The Hammers can’t rely on a jet-lagged Antonio or Danny Ings to lead the line indefinitely. West Ham has two weeks to get Fullkrug fit and firing. If he doesn’t make the bench, at least for the Newcastle trip, then something very fishy is going on.
