West Ham brought nine new players to strengthen their squad in this transfer window as they aim to return to playing European football next season. While some signings were made to help improve the squad depth, others were priority additions for the Hammers at the start of the summer transfer window. The defence was bolstered with the key additions of centre-backs Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo as well as 26-year-old right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, one of the most exciting signings of the transfer window were Leeds United forward Cryscencio Summerville and Borussia Dortmund's star striker Niclas Fullkrug. Both of them have shown their quality in their limited playing time, but are yet to start for Julen Lopetegui's side in the Premier League, and one of them could have to spend some time on the sidelines after picking up an injury. In the UEFA Nations League group stages, Germany took a convincing 5-0 win over Hungary and Niclas Fullkrug scored a goal and overall was one of the best players in the match.
New West Ham star sidelined with injury
However, after the match, Fullkrug picked up an achilles injury in Germany's training session before the next group stage fixture against Netherlands. This is a huge blow for Germany as well as West Ham, as Fullkrug left the national team after the injury and will miss the next few games for both club and country. The international break is about to be over and West Ham will face Fulham in an away fixture in the fourth Premier League matchday, meaning, Fullkrug won't be available for this match.
In the first three Premier League matches, Michail Antonio hasn't performed well as the centre forward, however with Fullkrug injured, the Hammers may have to start the 34-year-old against Fulham, who has struggled to adapt to the pace and passes of other West Ham forwards in the attack. Julen Lopetegui's side have Danny Ings as an another option for the number nine role, but he hasn't scored a lot of goals at the club since arriving last year. Now it remains to be seen who will start at the centre forward position in the Fulham match as the Hammers try to get some winning momentum and aim to take the three points from this match.