West Ham Niclas Fullkrug
(Credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Thu 5 June 2025 8:10, UK
West Ham United forward Niclas Fullkrug was a second-half substitute as Germany faced Portugal on Wednesday.
The international giants faced off on 4 June in the semi-final of the Nations League, with Roberto Martinez’s side securing a 2-1 win.
A Cristiano Ronaldo strike on 68 minutes proved to be the difference in booking a place in the final at the Allianz Arena in just three days’ time.
Regardless of the result, the Hammers will have had their eyes on Fullkrug, who came on with the hope of having an impact off the bench, which he failed to do.
Niclas Fullkrug has struggled at West Ham this season (Credit: Imago)
Fullkrug slammed after Portgual defeat
There is no getting away from the fact that the 32-year-old has had a shocking debut season after a big-money move to the London Stadium.
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This hasn’t all been his own fault, with a lengthy calf injury playing a telling role in keeping the striker out for the majority of the campaign.
With that being said, the ex-Borussia Dortmund man hasn’t shown his ability when given the chance for club and country in recent months.
This was on show with just one goal since the introduction of Graham Potter, while failing to net for his national team since early September.
Fullkrug wasn’t able to change that against Portugal, with the German media being far from sold on the quality of his performance.
Stat v Portugal Niclas Fullkrug
Minutes played 30
Touches 10
Accurate passes 7
Shots 0
Duels lost 2
Niclas Fullkrug Germany stats v Portugal
This saw Get German Football News (4 June) award his performance a 5/10, which is in contrast to Sky Sports Germany, who slapped the forward with a grade of four.
This was paired by a comment suggesting that the Irons man was “completely ineffective”, a sentiment echoed by the outlet Sportschau, who reported that the striker was lacking in presence and also described him as “ineffective.”
Niclas Fullkrug
Niclas Fullkrug has struggled for Germany and West Ham this season (Credit: Imago)
Fullkrug on thin ice at West Ham
It just hasn’t worked for the German since moving to East London.
There were high hopes for the ex-Werder Bremen man when he completed a sizable move to the Premier League, after featuring in the prior Champions League final.
The class that took him to that point hasn’t been on show in claret and blue and won’t be helped by a poor performance for Germany.
After Fullkrug clashed with Potter and the squad in a post-match interview, his future could already be hanging in the balance in E20.
It is fair to assume that this won’t be helped by poor national team performances, especially with the summer window looming.
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