Potter needs to keep hold of his best players this summerplaceholder image
Potter needs to keep hold of his best players this summer | Getty Images
One of West Ham’s attackers is said to be attracting transfer attention from a top club.
One of West Ham’s key players is now being linked with a move to Real Madrid after a regime change at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Hammers are now preparing for what they hope will be a very different season to their last, with Graham Potter needing to hit the ground running after a disappointing first few months in charge.
Potter will get a chance to put his own stamp on his squad this summer after inheriting a squad built for Julen Lopetegui, but there will be expectations of significant improvement. One challenge West Ham do have as they look to improve their squad this summer is the potential loss of talent.
Mohammed Kudus is attracting plenty of interest, even after a disappointing campaign, and it now seems as though Niklas Fullkrug could be of interest to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Defensa Central say Xabi Alonso likes the look of Fullkrug as he looks to add a plan B of sorts. It’s claimed Alonso wants a player who can make a big impact off the bench, like Joselu did for Los Blancos in the season before last.
Fullkrug fits that profile, and it’s reported Real Madrid could offer the veteran Germany international a quick exit from West Ham after just one season. The striker endured a troubled first campaign for the Hammers, struggling with injury for the most part.
“I'm looking forward to my second year in the Premier League. My first wasn't the best,” Füllkrug reflected at the end of the campaign. "I like the style and hope to do better next season. The Premier League is dynamic and physical. Teams follow their own path, go head-to-head with an open visor. It's more of a direct power struggle.
“I'm happy there. I read reports suggesting I'm not, but that's not the case. I'm back to a good fitness level and can't wait for next season.”
What Potter has said
Potter has spoken positively about Fullkrug, but he did after respond to critical comments the striker made about his teammates in the Spring. He said: “I think he wears his heart on his sleeve. I would disagree with him in some things and agree with him in others. But he’s entitled to his opinion. As a senior player, we’ve had lots of honest conversations. And I think for me it’s better to have the conversations in private, not in public.
“Players are emotional, they’re human beings. How boring would it be if players couldn’t speak after a game? How boring would that be? I don’t want that. At the same time we all have a responsibility to the club and the team and we have to try and manage the both. I don’t want robots, I don’t want people not saying anything. It’s good because it means you can coach a problem and that’s football.
“But at the same time, we also have a responsibility to the team and the club. From my perspective, sometimes I could be honest, how I really feel. But I don’t think it’s helpful to the players. I don’t think it’s helpful to the club. So, we all have to be aware of our responsibilities as well.”
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