Niclas Fullkrug has created what may be Graham Potter’s biggest problem yet at West Ham – and the outcome feels somewhat inevitable.
How do West Ham solve a problem like Niclas Fullkrug?
That is the big question heading into one of the most important summer transfer windows in West Ham’s modern history.
The answer looks very complex – even if Graham Potter has already dropped a major clue as to how he will deal with it.
It says everything about the task at hand for Potter, head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay and de facto director of football David Sullivan that the man who may be the only striker on West Ham’s books at the end of next month is their biggest problem.
Fullkrug has endured a torrid first season at the London Stadium.
Many Hammers fans questioned the wisdom of signing an ageing forward with a lengthy history of serious injuries.
But West Ham paid £26m for Fullkrug and he has all too inevitably spent two thirds of his debut campaign out injured.
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Fullkrug could be West Ham’s last man standing
Potter went out and signed Evan Ferguson in January.
However, he – like so many other West Ham striker signings before him – has been a disaster.
As a result, Ferguson will be sent back to Brighton next month.
West Ham have confirmed Danny Ings is leaving when his 125k per week contract expires next month.
A big decision looms on Michail Antonio in the coming weeks too.
Antonio said he will play elsewhere next season if West Ham don’t offer the 35-year-old a new contract as he recovers from breaking his leg in four places.
Should Antonio depart, that leaves Fullkrug as West Ham’s only striker option.
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Word is the Hammers do have a deal lined up for Celtic’s Daniel Cummings. But he is unproven at Premier League level.
Before his second big injury in Potter’s first game back in January, Fullkrug was being linked with a move away from West Ham.
Juventus and a number of German clubs were reportedly keen and word from Hammers sources at the time was that Fullkrug himself had not settled in London and was open to leaving.
Especially after the sacking of the man who brought him to West Ham – compatriot Tim Steidten.
Fullkrug looked done and dusted at the club after his angry outburst following a 1-1 draw at home with already relegated Southampton.
Particularly when Potter’s reaction was to criticise the Germany star before benching him in the next game.
Fullkrug gives Potter his biggest West Ham headache yet
Fans had hailed Fullkrug a hero for telling it like it is and were livid with the manager’s handling of the situation.
That rant – and what Fullkrug and Potter have said since – has created a real issue for the Hammers, though.
Because Fullkrug spoke out last week declaring he wants to stay at West Ham next season.
The German told Kicker he never had any intention of leaving the Hammers, pledging to stay next season.
“I didn’t join a club at 32 to use it as a springboard…” he said.
“I’ve never had any intention of leaving West Ham – and that’s not even on my mind right now. Because I’m really enjoying this job at the moment. I find a challenge like this appealing: moving to a club that isn’t yet where you want to be.”
Normally when an international class striker, who the fans love, pledges his future to the club it can only be a good thing.
Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images
But this is where things get complicated.
This week West Ham made it clear a new striker is a top priority for Potter this summer.
That came after Potter dropped Fullkrug again for the win at Man United.
After the game, Potter explained he feels Fullkrug has more impact as a sub for West Ham.
So it is clear Fullkrug is not going to be first choice under Potter if he does remain.
The German star has made it clear on several occasions he did not come to West Ham to be on the bench.
Now it may be that Fullkrug would come to accept the role of being a sub or rotated at West Ham as he turns 33 next season.
But to muddy the water further, Fullkrug struggled when he came on at Man United and did not have the kind of impact Potter had alluded to.
Fullkrug situation may have serious consequences
So the striker and manager are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Throw in the fact West Ham desperately need to sell players to raise money for signings and it feels like this situation could reach an inevitable outcome this summer.
In an ideal world West Ham are in Europe and Fullkrug could be rotated and rested appropriately with another top forward.
But the Hammers are living in anything but an ideal world this summer.
So difficult decisions may have to be taken.
It must also be remembered Potter has inherited Fullkrug and it has been made clear he wants a younger, more dynamic profile of forward this summer if transfer targets Emanuel Emegha, Evann Guessand and others are anything to go by.
Quite the pickle for Potter because even if Fullkrug accepts a bench role, he showed at Old Trafford he may not be the right man for it.