All eyes will be on the London Stadium this weekend as West Ham face Nottingham Forest in our penultimate Premier League fixture—with plenty of subplots in play.
Forest’s unlikely European push under Nuno Espírito Santo will no doubt dominate headlines, while home farewells for out-of-contract Hammers such as Aaron Cresswell, Vladimír Coufal, and Łukasz Fabiański will add a few teary eyes to the occasion.
But a more intriguing subplot is brewing around Niclas Fullkrug, and Graham Potter’s team selection against Forest could say a lot about the German’s future.
Claret & Hugh has been reliably informed by a top transfer source that Fullkrug is available for sale this summer.
The Germany international has endured a difficult debut season in East London, at one point describing it as a “nightmare.” However, his recent return to fitness has offered glimpses of real quality, and many fans hoped to see a consistent run of games with Fullkrug leading the line.
His outspoken criticism of teammates after the Southampton draw actually won him praise from supporters, who appreciated his honesty and refusal to sugar-coat the team’s issues.
Fullkrug may be just a sub in Potter’s plan
Fullkrug could leave in summer reshuffle
But despite that, C&H has learned that Fullkrug is very much on the ‘for sale’ list as West Ham prepare a major summer rebuild.
“West Ham are going all out for a striker who would be the main man,” said our source.
“I wouldn’t put any money on Fullkrug being there [at West Ham] next season.”
That statement suggests that, even if he stays, Fullkrug would be reduced to a squad role—something that seems unlikely to satisfy a player of his stature, especially after reacting strongly to being benched for the recent 2-0 win over Manchester United.
So, all attention will turn to Potter’s team-sheet this Sunday, which may provide a telling clue about Fullkrug’s future. The manager would be perfectly justified in keeping a winning side, but if Fullkrug is benched again, it will be interesting to see what the reaction will be.
Can’t go into a new season with just one new striker and Bowen as plan B so I would definitely try and keep him. And when he signed wasn’t it said that his best position is 10 so maybe we just need to be a bit more attack minded and then there will be plenty of opportunities for him.
If one of the players farted it’d be posted here as an ‘EXCLUSIVE’
Takes real talent to sniff out a story like that?
This was always going to be a rebuild period with so many old boys nearing the end of the road. Steidten brought in some quality players, hopefully Todibo, Guilherme and Summerville will stick around. Fullkrug too. I’d be sad to see Kudus, another fine Steidten signing, leave. But that may be necessary. But overall TS left Potter with a decent basis to build on, and I look forward to seeing a leaner, younger squad.
Good day,
Your thoughts pertaining to Fullkrug is sadly correct, but certainly not satisfying, as we almost seen the best of this awesome striker.
And this all created by crazy West Ham management, paying so much money for an injury prone player?
And about Fullkrug being in the first 11x against NF? I dont see why not. But as Potter would say he’s a good impact player. Oh boy, that’s sic man, really.
And lastly, sorry winning team continue … yes, only as per the scoreboard, but a sadly weak performance against Manu … extremely lucky to win.
Can this weak team do it two more times before season end? I really dont think so … not a chance. I will eat all my vege’s for the rest of the year !
Nonetheless thanks for your article and good responses.
“Manu … extremely lucky to win.”
I think we must have watched different games.
Sullivan should retire and put his feet up or maybe get his boys more involved.
Brady needs to leave football fraternity and concentrate on being a Dragon (Den) operative.
Whether Fullkrug stays or goes will still need 2 strikers.
Hopefully one of those will be Delap who knows his way around premier league and has some bully boy tactics.
Whu will be the place if he wants regular starts, Chelsea and Man Utd could be intermittent.
It’s hardly an exclusive when C&H have given us numerous exclusives about him “allegedly” being homesick, wants out, had a problem with JLo etc etc pretty much since he was signed.
Sullivan needs to go or genuinely leave the recruitment of players and coaches to a Director of Football with full control. Tim S was always going to be sacrificed to deflect the blame for this horrendous season.
I don’t trust Brady or Sullivan with the required overhaul of the squad. Low ball and take it or leave it offers, followed by the usual we tried approach sadly will be the norm.
Players normally join a club due to the coach, style of play and because the team is on an upward trend. This is what worries me about the season ahead.
I don’t believe for a minute the PSR constraints mentioned by Sean. I think it’s just a smokescreen ahead of signing cheaper, less exciting calibre of players.