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“Toxic Influence” Must Not Be Allowed Anywhere Near West Ham’s Happy Dressing Room

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Is it really any surprise that West Ham on-loan striker Niclas Füllkrug’s AC Milan career is stuttering to a halt before it has really got started?

Recent reports suggest the Hammers striker, who is on loan at the San Siro for the remainder of the season, is struggling to impress after a positive start to life in Serie A. As a result, much of the Italian media is reporting that Füllkrug is set to return to West Ham next season, with Milan having no intention of taking up their option to buy the 32-year-old.

However, the news comes with an additional twist, considering recent reports of improved squad harmony and morale within the Hammers camp.

Milan wish to send Fullkrug back to West Ham

Dressing Room Reset at the London Stadium

As reported earlier today, no names have been mentioned as the driving force behind what has been described as a toxic atmosphere in the London Stadium dressing room. However, most concede that the bad apples have now left — and the results are evident on the pitch.

It does not take the wildest stretch of the imagination to speculate that Füllkrug may have been more of a hindrance than a help.

After all, it was common knowledge that he wanted out of West Ham, and the forward gave interviews suggesting he was homesick almost immediately after joining for €27 million from Borussia Dortmund.

I cannot claim to know what will happen next season — particularly as we do not yet know which division West Ham will be playing in.

But it is imperative that Füllkrug’s future is resolved without him having to set foot in Rush Green again.

I suspect the striker would agree.

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Kris Gonzo (commonly known to the West Ham community as Gonzo) is the co-founder of Hammers Chat (established 2014) and the lead video content creator and columnist for Claret and Hugh.

With over a decade of professional sports media experience, he is a frequent West Ham United analyst and contributor for Sky Sports News, BBC Football Focus, and BBC Radio 5 Live. He previously served as an official video and content creator for West Ham United FC during the club's tenure at Upton Park and featured in the official documentary commemorating the historic final game at the Boleyn Ground.

A lifelong Hammer since the legendary 10-0 victory over Bury, when he isn't providing daily match analysis on the Hammers Chat YouTube Channel or broadcasting on X (@GONZObignose), he can be found walking his dog and restoring classic pinball machines.

5 comments

  • Euan says:

    I’m in full agreement there was evidently some dressing room unrest, but hadn’t thought it likely to be Fulkrug. In all honesty he struck me as one of the few that was actually calling out the need to be better

  • Nicholaspidden says:

    Love the pic

  • Rob says:

    Gonzo yes I agree and if there are others out on loan that come under the same umbrella they should just be moved on too. Encouraging to leave by saying all you will be playing is under 21’s level or not at all.

  • Phil Baker says:

    Much was said of Steidten’s ability to sign players , but everyone that he signed was wildly over priced and over paid . Fulkrug was valued at less than 10 million and Westham wasted 27 million on him plus high wages . A good experienced DoF who handles both coach and player signings is still what’s required at Westham or else the same problems will reoccur at the club .

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