Shearer reveals Fullkrug problem at West Ham after what Lineker said on MOTD…
West Ham United fans got the latest glimpse of Niclas Fullkrug this weekend, a player of whom they have been largely deprived since his arrival.
The German powerhouse entered the fray as a substitute against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday (5 April) with his team trailing, heading the Irons level as they played out a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
Fullkrug will be even more frustrated with how his debut season in the Premier League has gone in terms of injuries, and the sporadic appearances he has had have proven promising.
West Ham fans are yet to see the consistent best of Fullkrug due to injuries (Credit: Imago)
Fullkrug ‘makes other West Ham stars better’ says Alan Shearer
In the rare sightings West Ham fans have had of their £27million German international, he has looked very effective and a pleasant throwback to the Premier League target men of a bygone era.
But Fullkrug is not just that – he is a very useful link player, better technically than he is given credit for, and it’s a wonder how many goals he’d have had without his injury-ravaged maiden campaign in England.
Alan Shearer has delivered in the Premier League considerably more than any other striker in history and admitted the Hammers are all the better for Fullkrug’s presence.
Shearer, speaking on BBC Match of the Day (4 April, 56:10), said the “problem” with Fullkrug at the London Stadium is he has done the business when in action, but those appearances have come nowhere near what anyone had so far hoped.
Gary Lineker firstly said: “He’s had a significant injury.”
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“The problem [West Ham] have got with [Fullkrug] is he’s only had one 90 minutes and three starts, and of course he’s got the three goals,” Shearer responded.
“I mentioned how tough it was he was making it for the centre-halves. When he came on it was a different game.
“They’ve got to somehow try and keep him fit, because they’re a better team with him up there and he makes other players better as well.”
Graham Potter smiling
Graham Potter is soon ready to unleash Fullkrug from the start (Credit: Imago)
Graham Potter knows what Fullkrug can do
In a fully fit season, Fullkrug would hit double figures in the Premier League. Defenders devote less and less time to defending centre-forwards of his style these days, as teams seldom play a certain way.
Potter admitted the 32-year-old will be utilised to help West Ham “get the ball up the pitch quicker”, which may not always be footballing glamour but will yield results – certainly of much better fortune than their fans have witnessed this season.
Fullkrug is a late developer into top-level football and his goalscoring record in recent years speaks for itself. His stature and primary attributes have many European fans writing him off, but you don’t register the numbers he has for Germany, Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen without being a superb footballer.
Niclas Fullkrug – West Ham 2024-25 Total
Minutes played 447
Appearances 11
Starts 3
Goals 3
Assists 1..
Premier League only (Soccerway)
Whenever presented with an opportunity in a claret and blue shirt, Fullkrug has often taken it – it has just gone under the radar due to his impact at times coming in a game from which his side have emerged well beaten, or off the back of an uninspired performance.
He has provided a beacon of light for next season in a dark season for himself and the Irons supporters.
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