Niclas Füllkrug, who was earlier this season labelled by the Italian media as one of the top ten worst summer signings, is now eager to prove former West Ham Technical Director Tim Steidten right for bringing him to the Premier League.
In just 538 minutes of first-team football, the German international has netted three goals from four shots on target, along with one assist. Last season, the striker scored 16 goals in 46 appearances, along with ten assists, for Borussia Dortmund and also enjoyed a spectacular European Championship with Germany. He has now scored 14 goals in 22 games for his national team.
Steidten praised the player’s work ethic and professionalism back in August: “I have worked with him previously and I know what he will bring to us in terms of his physical and finishing qualities, as well as his character and mentality.” This suggests the veteran striker has a point to prove.
After the Bournemouth game, Füllkrug commented: “If you watch some of my career goals, you will see more headers like that. That’s one of my strengths. With the crosses from Prowsey, it is easier. I came here to enjoy the Premier League with a big club. Now I can and I am very happy about it.”
The key to his success will be staying injury-free, and he acknowledges the need to continue working on his fitness to be fully prepared for the line-up. Füllkrug has battled knee problems throughout his career but has still managed to make 391 club appearances, scoring 148 goals and providing 51 assists.
His former manager Ole Werner described him as “a complete player”, while German football legend Lothar Matthäus called him “a very, very interesting player who plays with experience, scores goals and prepares well.”
Rudi Völler took it a step further, stating: “His strike rate is exceptional – he can probably only be compared to Gerd Müller.”
According to a former Wikipedia entry, Füllkrug regularly listens to Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger for motivation. DJ Russ Budden take note – let’s hope West Ham fans get to see what others have been praising.
anyone who thought he wasn’t a great striker to begin with is a football novice. let’s not discoint the English penchant for sticking it to Germans whenever a cheap shot presents itself. the 80yr “hangover” is very much alive. this site has played its part in conjuring distaste for the man by continuously slinging mud pies at Steidten and mentioning Fullkrug as a reason to do so (you excepted, Matt). i’ve been having a derisory giggle at how quickly the rhetoric has changed in recent weeks. Niclas Fullkrug, everybody’s knight on a white horse now. fair weather friends abound 😏
How is this man a flop? do explain? i am sure your journalistic nous can i mean how dare he turn up not be liked or wanted by Loppy get injured and not play i mean what a Ba***rd eh.
Fullkrug is by no means a flop. He’s just had injury problems. If he can stay fit he’s a lethal finisher who also provides assists for other attackers. I hope he stays at the end of the season and contributes goals and assists to the team next season. We will need him