Claret & Hugh have been informed that Niclas Fullkrug’s fitness is still being heavily monitored by West Ham—and that he remains some way off being able to complete a full 90 minutes of football.
This may go some way to explaining why Irons manager Graham Potter has been reluctant to start the German striker since his return from injury.
Speaking to a Hammers training ground source today, Claret & Hugh have learned there is still concern over both his short- and long-term fitness.
We were told: “The West Ham medical team don’t currently believe Fullkrug can complete much more than 45 minutes.”
As a result, the £27 million summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund is being carefully micro-managed through to the end of the season. There’s even talk of the striker returning to Dubai—where he previously received treatment—in a renewed effort to get him fully fit ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
What’s been clear in recent matches is just how important Fullkrug is to this West Ham team. To put it bluntly—the Hammers look a far better side when he plays.
He’s already demonstrated his ability and value to Graham Potter, who is believed to be keen to keep the German next season and add another striker in a similar mould to share the load.
Buying a player for 27 million who can only play a half in half the games is damning . In essence a new striker needs to play the other 75 percent of match time for Westham to be competitive . In the ideal world Westham would buy two strikers who can both play most of the time and sell Fulkrug . If Fulkrug can only manage 900-1000 minutes a season that’s not going to be many goals . The cost factoring transfer and wage would be 1-2 million pounds per goal over four seasons at best ( 27 + 20 =.47 goals )
And what’s the excuse for not starting Ferguson and bringing Fullkrug on later? Surely they can get through 90 minutes combined?
Nothing to be gained by rushing him back. The season is practically over. Hopefully he can be at peak fitness to start next season. Even if we bring in a decent striker in the summer, Fullkrug will be an excellent impact substitute and his experience will be invaluable in what will hopefully be a much younger squad.