Nigel Reo-Coker names player West Ham United should have gone for over Niclas Fullkrug
Nigel Reo-Coker has questioned the decision at West Ham United to sign Niclas Fullkrug over Serhou Guirassy in the summer.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined in East London since the international break and returned to his native Germany to receive further treatment [Sean Whetstone] with no return date set.
West Ham previously targeted a move for his Borussia Dortmund replacement Guirassy, and Reo-Coker questioned the decision on Football Daily [26 October, 22:50] as the side continues to rely on Michail Antonio to lead the line.
He said: “I think that the signings kind of put Julen Lopetegui under pressure, but now when you start to look at it again, you’re probably going to start questioning some of those signings.
“I’m a big Fullkrug fan. When I’m looking at the price they paid for Fullkrug, and I’m looking at the other striker from Stuttgart. Guirassy, who left Stuttgart to go to Borussia Dortmund, and he’s playing Champions League football. They only paid £18m for him.
“And he’s younger than Fullkrug, who’s in his thirties, that West Ham paid roughly about 27 or 37 million pounds for – that’s when it starts to be questionable.”
West Ham United transfer business is coming back to haunt the side
While the German international still has a lot to offer for West Ham, his signing has panned out to be a resounding failure for Lopetegui so far.
The Spaniard is facing a pivotal period for his Hammers future in the next three matches, and this is in no small part down to the lack of goals his side is scoring this season.
Tim Steidten missed a trick in opting to move for Fullkrug when Guirassy was available on the market for a fraction of the price and three years his senior.
The forward has hit the ground running in Dortmund with seven goals in eight appearances across all competitions.
West Ham were widely considered ‘winners’ of the transfer window this summer, but two months on, only a handful of the £150m worth of talent acquired have made an impact in East London this season.
Lopetegui understands what lies ahead of him at the Hammers – the match against Manchester United on Sunday [27 October] is make-or-break for the boss after the second-half collapse against Tottenham in the 4-1 defeat last weekend ultimately summed up his reign.
Fullkrug can still become a success in the Premier League but West Ham must wait a while longer before the forward is available to show what he can do. For now, his signing can be chalked up as one in the failed column.
In other West Ham news, Gabriel Agbonlahor reveals the Irons’ stance on Jose Mourinho.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.