With the controversy raging around the sale of Mohammed Kudus this past week, few other stories appear to have had a look-in as the Hammers returned to pre-season without the Ghanaian. To all intents and purposes the camp – albeit in smaller numbers after the end of season exodus – is now younger, fitter and faster than last season with the swelling of the ranks from academy and young talent returning from loan seasons away from Rush Green.
From the photos and the news coming out of the club, one of the oldest squad members also appears fired up and certainly with a point to prove. Niclas Fullkrug as the sole senior striker appears to have bucked the pre-season holidaying and has come back lighter and fitter than ever as a Hammer. According to sources last week: “Fullkrug has come back three kilos lighter and very, very determined, and we hope he has a great season.”
Which of course yes, is good to hear. He’s certainly still got a point to prove but is not going to be able to sustain the Hammers goal threat alone. Whilst he’s become something of a fan favourite amongst the away supporters, ‘West Ham’s big **** German’ at 32 won’t last ninety minutes for a whole season and the youngsters aren’t ready this year to compete: Callum Marshall has just finished a season with Huddersfield in the third tier and Daniel Cummings a season in Celtic’s B team. One or other might get some substitute minutes but hardly ready to challenge Fullkrug.
Reports have suggested the Irons are looking at another two strikers before the end of the window. One decent quality Premier League-level player plus a freebie third choice is more than likely as the Hammers try and spread the Kudus money around a whole rebuild.
But good to know that Fullkrug realises he has something to prove next season: Fifteen goals would sort it nicely.
Any striker is dependent on supply. Fullkrug is a skillful attacker who has cut it at the highest level. If Sommerville and Guilherme create the supply he can certainly bang them in. Here’s hoping…He has had a great career. Last year means nothing. No reason he can’t do well in 25-26. Great character.
Problem is Martin, as you’ve been telling us for weeks, Potter doesn’t rate him so he won’t get a game.
Our transfer strategy is a joke. Well there isn’t a strategy…….
All targets should have been identified long before seasons end and got on board early in the window. But all we get is the @@@@@@@@@@@ pleading poverty. So the season will almost certainly be a disaster, I really hope not but that’s the way it’s looking. Then we also won’t be able to get shot of Potter because of people saying he didn’t get his own players in and we kick that can down the road.
It would be so nice to be positive but can’t see any reason…….
If he can avoid injuries then he could score a hatful of goals but I very much doubt that will be the case as he is prone to injuries when he is fit he is without doubt a quality striker it’s just him keeping fit and avoiding injuries we definitely need at least one quality striker to be brought in as a matter of urgency we must start getting new players in otherwise we will be relegated by Christmas
I think our squad rebuild will be much smaller than we all anticipated!!
He is a decent player band and if he stays fit will score goals, he and we were really unlucky last season with the injuries that happened to him.
Regarding other strikers as another day passes with yet more inactivity and no one coming in – how long is too long to wait when a significant squad rebuilding is required. Already seems like we are looking at very few incomings.