While Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and El Hadji Malick Diouf are almost certain to have a seat on the plane for next summer’s World Cup, the same cannot be said about West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug.
Last week, Fullkrug’s agent opened up about his ill-fated Premier League stint.
Thorsten Wirth was in no mood to ‘sugar coat’ things. The £27 million deal which took the Germany international from Borussia Dortmund to West Ham United, he said, simply ‘hasn’t worked’. Injuries have limited Niclas Fullkrug to just 11 top-flight starts in that time. And, on the relatively rare occasions when he has been fully fit, the 32-year-old has looked ill-at-ease with the pace of English football.
So, although Hammers News have been told that David Sullivan will demand a ‘significant’ fee – West Ham will not sell Fullkrug unless they have a replacement lined-up as well – the upcoming World Cup will only strengthen the resolve for a fresh start.
Julian Nagelsmann lost Fullkrug to injury during the October international break.
And, while the Germany boss is clearly a big fan of a striker who has 14 goals in just 24 international caps, his hopes of featuring at next summer’s tournament will grow ever slimmer unless something changes in the New Year.
Niclas Fullkrug during Manchester City FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann sends warning to West Ham United’s Niclas Fullkrug
Nick Woltemade, an instant hit at Newcastle United, seems to have already moved ahead of Fullkrug.
Former West Ham target Jonathan Burkardt has been prolific at Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile. Nagelsmann will also have the option of selecting Stuttgart talisman Denis Undav, Dortmund’s Maxi Beier and, once he returns from his own spell on the sidelines, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz.
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Speaking ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier away to Luxembourg, Nagelsmann is keen to point out that he has not discussed a London Stadium departure with Fullkrug.
However, after reading what his representative had to say on the subject, he accepts that the late-blooming number nine cannot afford to let things continue as they are.
“We had no discussions about a club change. I only read the headlines from the agent,” Nagelsmann said, via Sport1.
“In the end, it’s the same with Fulle as with everyone else. He has to play. We know what he’s capable of and what he can bring to the team.”
Nuno Espirito Santo says Fullkrug is still part of the Hammers’ plans
Nuno Espirito Santo hopes to have Fullkrug back when West Ham travel to AFC Bournemouth after the November international break.
While Stuttgart’s CEO has played down rumours linking the Bundesliga high-flyers with a winter swoop, meanwhile, Nuno insists that Fullkrug will remain in West Ham’s plans for as long as he is wearing claret and blue.
“Everybody does their job in this industry. My job is to coach. From what I see, we arrived and Niclas played the first two games,” Nuno says, having started the 32-year-old against both Everton and Arsenal before he was consigned to another spell on the sidelines.
“Unfortunately, he got injured. Now, he’s coming back. If we can get him healthy and ready to go, he is another option for the team. That is how I see it.”