Is it really any surprise that West Ham on-loan striker Niclas Füllkrug’s AC Milan career is stuttering to a halt before it has really got started?
Recent reports suggest the Hammers striker, who is on loan at the San Siro for the remainder of the season, is struggling to impress after a positive start to life in Serie A. As a result, much of the Italian media is reporting that Füllkrug is set to return to West Ham next season, with Milan having no intention of taking up their option to buy the 32-year-old.
However, the news comes with an additional twist, considering recent reports of improved squad harmony and morale within the Hammers camp.
Milan wish to send Fullkrug back to West Ham
Dressing Room Reset at the London Stadium
As reported earlier today, no names have been mentioned as the driving force behind what has been described as a toxic atmosphere in the London Stadium dressing room. However, most concede that the bad apples have now left — and the results are evident on the pitch.
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It does not take the wildest stretch of the imagination to speculate that Füllkrug may have been more of a hindrance than a help.
After all, it was common knowledge that he wanted out of West Ham, and the forward gave interviews suggesting he was homesick almost immediately after joining for €27 million from Borussia Dortmund.
I cannot claim to know what will happen next season — particularly as we do not yet know which division West Ham will be playing in.
But it is imperative that Füllkrug’s future is resolved without him having to set foot in Rush Green again.
I suspect the striker would agree.