Niclas Füllkrug’s West Ham future looks increasingly uncertain as the summer transfer window looms. Despite his recent public declaration of loyalty to the club, signs are emerging that Graham Potter may not see the German striker as a key part of his plans.
Füllkrug was benched for yesterdays 2-0 win over Manchester United, with Potter insisting it was a tactical decision. The manager opted for a 3-5-2 formation, deploying Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus as hybrid attackers, tracking back and defending deep. In this instance the system worked an absolute treat and would appear to be the gaffers preferred option for away games, but the big German doesn’t really suit the tactic.
With Danny Ings set to be released, West Ham will bring in a new striker this summer, raising further questions about Füllkrug’s role. Despite his public show of commitment, the 32-year-old is unlikely to accept a bit-part role after leaving Borussia Dortmund to play regularly in East London.
Financially, West Ham are unlikely to recoup the £23-27 million spent on the striker given his age and injury record. But with Potter’s preference for a more dynamic, pressing attack, it’s hard to see how the big German fits in.
It could well be that Füllkrug would feature more in home than away games but it’s unlikely he’d settle for a bit-part role.
Pictures began to emerge yesterday of the forward sat pensively on the Old Trafford pitch before kick-off. But with Claret & Hugh receiving information that everyone aside from Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan Bissaka was available for sale, it could be that Füllkrug is set to depart after only one season at The London Stadium.
Fullkrugs going nowhere. He didn’t come to the premier league just for one season injured or on the bench. He will be keen to prove himself next season. Can’t believe Potter would want him out. Just C&H maybe that want him out.
Potter had it spot on. Switching Bowen for Fulkrug near the end was very sensible. size helped in defending our own box at the end of game and gave us an out ball when under pressure.
Fulkrug’s only going to play for between a quarter and a third of available minutes at best subject to injury . Fulkrug will not accept this and so the issue becomes how much can Westham recoup by selling him and the answer is similar to the Ings problem . He’s on a high wage and unreliable and so 5-10 million if you’re lucky .
Fullkrug not happy with being a bit part player and coming on as a sub.
It’s a well known fact that’s exactly how is used in the German team.
Can’t last for 90 minutes so what does he expect?
The statement is that all but N and WB are available for sale…….not that all will be sold.
We need to sell to buy, there is no guarantee we can sell who we want for what we want and, importantly, when we want.
We need to start selling first so we should be looking to get 3-4 players off the books asap so we can get some players in so they have a full pre season with us.
I think there is sod all chance of that happening with Sullivan being chief negotiator but we can but dream.
Cannot believe this is a west ham site so negative I always thought you needed a 25 man squad so makes no sense to sell all but 2 players.