As he is a German international who was coming from Borussia Dortmund, there was an expectation that Niclas Fullkrug would hit the ground running at West Ham United. Fullkrug was one of a number of players during the summer transfer window of 2024 who turned out to be flops. This also includes Guido Rodriguez, Luis Guilherme, and Max Kilman. However, there were some good signings that window, such as Crysensio Summerville.
Just three league games into the 2024/25 season, Fullkrug had an Achilles problem. Injuries were to become a theme of his tenure at the Hammers. He would end the campaign with just three goals and two assists in 18 Premier League games.
In the first half of this season, Fullkrug made just eight league appearances without contributing a goal. Then, in January, he failed upwards with a loan transfer to AC Milan. He has already got off the mark for Milan, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Lecce. However, this has been his only goal in seven appearances for the Serie A side.
Milan has the option to buy Fullkrug permanently at the end of the campaign. This would be best for all parties, especially as he is still contracted to West Ham until 2028.
West Ham United have struggled to find a top center-forward
West Ham have had some great strikers in the Premier League era. Paolo Di Canio, Michail Antonio, and Andy Carroll all led the line very well for the Hammers. However, even Carroll suffered from big injury problems during his time at the club.
There have been too many flops for West Ham when it comes to strikers. This includes the likes of Robbie Keane, Benni McCarthy, and Simone Zaza. However, it is unclear why so many center-forwards fail to adapt to playing in a West Ham shirt.
Now, West Ham has Taty Castellanos leading the line. He has already scored twice in seven games for the club. Castellanos scored the winner against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup, before also getting on the scoresheet in a crucial 2-0 win over Burnley.
The Hammers also have Pablo, who has yet to have a goal contribution in his six games for the club so far. However, his all-around play has been impressive. Callum Wilson is an experienced head at the club who can also pop up with scoring crucial goals. The 33-year-old striker recently netted a late winner over Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham are still in the relegation zone, but the new forward signings, Castellanos and Pablo, have boosted the optimism at the London Stadium. If the Hammers are to survive in the Premier League this season, then they will need these two players to continue their good form.