Most German strikers have had a tough time making the transition to the Premier League which is widely considered to be the toughest, most physically challenging around. Well we remember Sebastian Haller’s travails when he joined from Frankfurt in 2019 for what still looks a huge €50 million. Of course, as soon as he left us for Ajax his goalscoring record improved and he was soon banging them in for fun with Ajax.
But of course that is the point – other overseas imports including Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Meszuit Ozil have all struggled to make their presence felt in the Premier League. So I do feel a bit sorry for Niclas Fullkrug who must be wondering whether he has bitten off more than he can chew at West Ham. Julen Lopetegui is going to face a big challenge to integrate Fullkrug into his preferred system of play, judging by early results.
Fullkrug faces an Uphill Battle to Adapt
Used with success by the German national team as an impact substitute and by his previous club Borussia Dortmund in the same vein, Fullkrug started last nigh for the first time in what was a League Cup match but albeit against Premier League opposition. Predictably, he struggled to make any impact on the game. Maybe that was to do with the lack of creativity from midfield, maybe because the planned source of crosses from Aaron Wan Bissaka didn’t materialise as the right back was forced into left back duties.
Lacking Antonio’s pace, the German was frustrated and left in second place with the couple of long balls he did chase and this style clearly doesn’t suit him. He feeds off others and I’m scratching my head a bit to see how Lopetegui’s plan for him will unfold as we go through the season.
Fullkrug does have a steep learning curve with UK Referees as he was clearly upset last night with frequent ‘elbowing’ of defenders alleged against him when he rose to challenge: Nothing new, every time Andy Carroll jumped he was penalised for elbowing when often it was the other way round. It is just a ‘feature’ of the Premier League-level refereeing, in the same way anybody who jumps to challenge a goal keeper is usually penalised. There were a couple of instances when he rose early for Fabianski’s (too often) long kicks upfield when he managed to ‘hang’ in the air: well I remember Teddy Sheringham exhibiting the same gravity-defying skill to flick on from the goal keeper’s clearances, so there is, if we are to keep playing ‘long-ball’, something to build on.
At present, he must be wondering how to influence the game. A more creative midfield and more adventure down the flanks would help but that is part of a bigger problem which Lopetegui will be addressing this Autumn. The German striker certainly has the character to succeed, wheras others have let their heads drop I’d back Fullkruk to find a way to get onto the score sheet: He’s had to fight for his success relatively late in his career and the experiences he’s had in second tier football after relegation will prepare him well for a scrap as West Ham evolve.
I think this site should lead by example. If any of their new contributors first three pieces don’t win prizes for sports journalism let them go as they will clearly never amount to anything.
This signing never made any sense to me. For all the good we have done in the market this summer, to spend £27 million on an almost 32 year old journeyman with a significant injury history just seems ridiculous. How good will he have to be across the next 2/3 seasons to justify the outlay? I’m sure he will score goals…. but so will Danny Ings if he’s given enough minutes and I am not sure that the difference between the 2 strikers is as vast as some might like to think?!
£10 million more might have got us Duran who’s valuation is unlikely to depreciate by £10 million per year
Ings had plenty of chances. Where were the goals? Fullkrug was 27 million Euros, so 22 million pounds. If the argument is ‘plus add ons’ then you only pay add ons if you and/or the player are successful. West Ham offered 30 million plus Orford (according to some sources) for Fullkrug and there would have been add ons and likely a sell on. Plus Villa did not bite. So Fullkrug was roughly half the price.
Duran is a risk. Known to be difficult to handle. Villa paid about 16 million for him and twenty odd appearances, many from the bench and five goals later they are looking for 40 million. He scored against West Ham, he did not pull any trees up in the next game against Arsenal. Why are people so sure he’s the answer? If he does well, he’ll push for a move somewhere else. If he fails he could be worth 20 million in two years time, exactly the same twenty million loss you see with Fullkrug. If he was that good Villa wouldn’t be listening to moving him on. After all we all agree Emry is a great manager. How come he will agree to letting this potential superstar move on? Because he needs the money to bring someone better in? Because CL and PL commitments men he doesn’t need cover for Ollie Watkins?
Fair points.
I just strongly feel, what with our ageing squad and existing strikers age profiles, a youthful alternative was essential. Somebody energetic, prepared to run channels, turn hopeful long balls into dangerous ones and offer something different. I am not sure that we have got any of those. And at considerable cost. I’m sure Fullkrug will score goals given the right service but I can’t see him leading the line across the whole season, which leaves us with….. Bowen up front again.
As an alternative suggestion, I liked the look of Chelsea’s Fofana when he played against us for Burnley. Was a handful albeit a bit more rough around the edges but possibly the type we need as a affordable loan deal?!
FFS… we are only 2 league games in to the season!
I didn’t see him get the service , how can he score without the chances being created . Anyway it’s only his 2nd appearance.
Mark, did you notice in the first half the number of time’s Todibo brought the ball out of defence and was looking up to find someone to pass too! No one made themselves available you’re especially looking for your CF but nothing, even Bowen went missing in the first half, the option was often Coufal or backwards. Bowen has to start as a CF with Summerville and Kudus on the flanks and Paqueta at 10. Kilman and Todibo can then break from defence and have willing runners and movement. He won’t get a look in against City if he plays he doesn’t have the right attributes
All this striker talk the answer is right in front of us and won’t cost a penny more- stick Kudas up front as a CF, he would be sensational. Paqueta behind him, Bowen on the right and young Somerville on the left. Sorted!