West Ham loanee Niclas Fullkrug’s struggles over the past two seasons have been well-documented.
After joining the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in 2024, the German striker scored just three goals in 18 months.
He then departed the East London club for AC Milan this January, where he has not hit the ground running either.
However, Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri might have just found a new role that could improve Fullkrug’s performances.
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Edson Alvarez of Fenerbahce reacts during the Turkish Cup Group C match between Fenerbahce and Erzurumspor at Chobani Stadium on February 5, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. George Earthy of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Bristol City at Portman Road on January 20, 2026 in Ipswich, England. Callum Marshall of VfL Bochum 1848 looks on during the 2. Bundesliga match between VfL Bochum 1848 and SV Darmstadt 98 at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on January 18, 2026 in Bochum, Germany. James Ward-Prowse of Burnley applauds the fans during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Niclas Fullkrug enjoys ‘good game’ alongside Christopher Nkunku at AC Milan
Allegri played a 3-5-2 formation in Milan’s Serie A match against Napoli on Monday, with Fullkrug in a two-man attack.
The 33-year-old started alongside former Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku for the first time in his Milan career.
Nkunku said before the game that he was looking forward to playing with Fullkrug, as they get along well with each other.
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“We have a good relationship,” the Frenchman said. “We talk a lot on and off the pitch. Today is our first time playing together. I can’t wait for us to do our best together.”
Unfortunately, Fullkrug and Nkunku could not break the deadlock, as Milan lost 1-0 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Niclas Fullkrug playing for AC Milan against Inter.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/AC Milan via Getty Images
Nkunku really should have taken one of his golden opportunities to score and earned Milan a point away from home.
Still, Allegri was pleased with how the attacking duo performed in a difficult match, with star player Rafael Leao on the bench.
“I think Nkunku and Fullkrug had a good game,” he told DAZN, via Gianluca Di Marzio. “Nkunku worked for the team and had a couple of opportunities. Someone like him needs to score one of those chances.”
Perhaps Allegri will continue to play Fullkrug as a target man in a front two, alongside a more mobile forward who can run in behind.
This is probably the role that gets the best out of Fullkrug, rather than asking him to be the main goalscorer.
West Ham may regret not playing a 4-4-2 or a 5-3-2 more often when Fullkrug was in the team.
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