Bundesliga expert and ESPN commentator Derek Rae has sensationally claimed that West Ham have overpaid for summer signing Niclas Füllkrug. Rae was speaking exclusively to the Hammers Chat website where he made the claim, which will not make comfortable reading for West Ham fans. Normally, one could dismiss this type of sensationalistic comment as clickbait or headlines, but Rae is a seasoned Bundesliga commentator with encyclopaedic knowledge of German football.
As we reported yesterday, ESPN’s top man in Germany had already stated that for the Hammers to get the best out of Füllkrug, he would need either a strike partner or players in close support.
But when asked if West Ham had overpaid for the German international, Rae replied, “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, Füllkrug did not feel appreciated there.”
However, Rae did go on to say that if Hammers’ head coach Julen Lopetegui can get his tactics right and build the team around the big German, then West Ham have a very good player on their hands.
The last couple of days have provided a fascinating insight into the abilities of Füllkrug from an outsider who has the advantage of having watched the player for his entire career.
Rae’s messaging is clear: if West Ham want to get the very best out of their £27 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, they will need to get crosses into the box and have players near him.
That was obvious from the start…27 for a 31 year old ..when we could of got Duran ..stupidity at its best as usual
What is it with West Ham & strikers in recent years ? Rubbish at West Ham, capable goal scorers elsewhere – although their task (goal scoring) was not made any easier by how Moyes played them. It is early days yet with Fulkrug, but he doesn’t look any better than our last two foreign imports, at this stage.
I was very surprised at the acquisition of Fullkrug. I thought Jonathan David of Lille was a much better option: 23yo Canadian international, two footed and a head, speed to burn, and solid goal scorer at club and international levels. Why not?
Doesn’t look any better…
He hasn’t even started a Premier League game. Give the guy a chance to start and prove what he can do. He may turn out to be a waste of money; however, he deserves to at least start one game before we write him off. He played and scored for Germany during the international break. It’s up to Lopetegui to find a way to get the best out of him.
I think we all know Fullkrug was overpriced but Steidten knew him and thought he was worth the money and we needed a proven goal scorer. Lot of people writing him off before hes even started. I’d say give any player coming from a foreign league six months to adjust. I remember Tevez wasn’t great when he first came in. I’m not bothered about Duran. Sick of hearing people moan about the fact we didn’t pay 40 million for him. Looks like a right primadonna to me. He would have been wangling for a move to a champions league team within a short while of being at West Ham if he’d come to us.
Paying 27 million for an31 year old injury proned centre and giving him a 4 year contract only happens at west ham..
Apparently we need an ‘Expert’ to tell us that we over paid for him?!
We really are awful when it comes to centre forwards at West Ham. Best to just assume they’re crap till proven otherwise.
It’s a shame because our supporting cast in attack is as good as anything outside the Sky 6 in Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen etc. But what we’re missing is a Watkins, an Isak or a pre-gambling ban Toney up top. Or maybe even a Duran. Other clubs around us manage to scout and sign these players so why not us?
Fullkrap ain’t it. Don’t need an ‘expert’ to tell us that.
Laughably were still relying on Michail Antonio up top.
Your agenda against this guy is pathetic!
I’m more of a Bundesliga expert than that muppet. You have no idea who he is, and he’s a nobody who everybody laughs at and God knows how he got the job.
Why don’t you try and actually learn about football and study the Bundesliga instead of quoting morons?
Sullivan want’s Füllkrug out already and you’re doing his dirty work for him?
You tw*t
But I thought it was all Moyes’ fault that we signed old players??
I have said FULLKRUG needs a genuine top rate feeder to get the very best out of him , and extend his career. I also said , when it happened, was releasing J. W. P.
the coach’s first mistake , unless he has a clever alternative up his sleeve, which has been delayed due to the injury.
TIME WILL TELL.