West Ham remains tight-lipped about Niclas Fullkrug’s return to full fitness, sparking fears the 31-year-old striker could be out for the season.
The German international was initially expected back in September after sustaining an injury during international duty. However, with nine games and 69 days already missed, his history of lengthy absences raises concerns.
Back in the 2018-2019 season, Fullkrug was side-lined for 157 days, missing 22 games due to cartilage and knee damage. The following season, a cruciate ligament tear kept him out for 266 days, resulting in 33 missed matches.
Similarly, in 2012-2013, cartilage and ankle damage saw him side-lined for 161 days and 33 games, while the 2014-2015 season brought a similar injury, costing him 164 days and 18 games.
Since 2012-2013, Fullkrug has suffered injuries in every season except 2015-2016, spending a staggering total of 1,055 days in the physio room and missing 156 games. Despite these setbacks, he has scored 56 goals in 157 Bundesliga appearances, 47 goals in 135 Bundesliga 2 games, and boasts an impressive 14 goals in 22 matches for the national team.
His latest issue, Achilles tendon irritation, has limited him to indoor and partial grass training, with West Ham’s medical team closely monitoring his progress. Reports suggest the club sought alternative remedies, including sending Fullkrug to Germany for specialist assessment several weeks ago.
A senior club source told Claret and Hugh today that Fullkrug has struggled to settle in London, which could partly explain his recurring absences.
Going back to 2012, 2014 and 2018 to create a ‘click’ enticing headline – come on, you should be better than that. Sensationalist nonsense.
Have a look at the past three seasons. Last season (2023/24), including the Champions League and Internationals, he participated in 55 matches notching 30 goals/assists. In the season prior to that (2022/23) with no Champions League involvement, he had 42 appearances with 32 goals/assists. In 2021/22 it was a similar story, 36 appearances (again no European competition) with 26 goals/assists.
Which part of the past 3 seasons, the most relevant, do you consider justifies a headline of “horrific injury record”. Please stop misleading people and creating unnecessary negativity.
Struggled to settle in London? Pathetic. I don’t suppose he’s struggled to pick-up his pay packet
We signed him knowing that history. Words fail me
His past 3 seasons have been fine. It’s worth doing your own research before jumping on the usual C&H negativity bandwagon.
Dumb owner/board
He must have passed a medical, and was injured on international duty after he signed. With so many players coming in there was bound to be some who for whatever reason didn’t quickly integrate.
Disastrous signing.30m is a large sum even in football terms and to blow it on someone of his age and injury record instead of going for an explosive younger forward was a huge mistake.still its West Ham and we do it on far too regular a basis.we have basically played a third of the season with only 34 year old Antonio up front.the whole team needs an injection of youth and speedy legs from the midfield upwards.
You seriously have to call out Stietden on this one and the young Brazilian kid.
Moyes turned him down the previous season for exactly the reasons highlighted.
We don’t have money to take chances.
27m for him and 25m for an unknown 18 year old Brazilian who can’t get in the U21’s . = A very good centre forward…
Why is no one calling him out as well as the manager?
It’s not exactly a new thing for West Ham signing players that miss considerable amounts of time in rehab and not on the pitch
1) Andy Carroll
2) Jack Wiltshire
3) Kieron Dyer
4) Thomas Hitzlsperger
5) Dean Ashton
6) Andriy Yarmlenko
7) Freddie Ljungberg
These are just the ones that immediately spring to mind.