Sebastian Kehl hits out at Niclas Füllkrug after West Ham United transfer
Niclas Füllkrug moved to West Ham to avoid being in a “competitive situation” at Borussia Dortmund, Sebastian Kehl has said.
The Dortmund sporting director was speaking on German TV programme Sky90 and said that Füllkrug did not want to fight for his place following the signing of Serhou Guirassy.
Guirassy, who had been linked with a switch to East London earlier in the summer, completed his move to Dortmund on 18 July [HITC, 25 May], with Fullkrug signing for the Hammers weeks later.
In quotes reported by Bild (16 September), Kehl said: “I naturally spoke to (Füllkrug) before the Guirassy deal and also told him that we would do something in this position – he then started to think.
“He would have been in a competitive situation that he himself did not want to take on.
“He will get a slightly longer-term contract (from West Ham) and perhaps a slightly better perspective in one or two places.
“He has always behaved correctly, and I think we have too. Nothing sticks.”
Niclas Fullkrug needs to justify West Ham transfer fee
Regardless of how desperate Füllkrug was to make his way out of Dortmund, the Black Yellows still forced the Hammers into paying a hefty fee of £27million for the 31-year-old.
Füllkrug, however, is yet to make his mark at the London Stadium, making three Premier League appearances off the bench and starting without scoring against Bournemouth in the League Cup.
His potency in front of goal hasn’t been damaged on international duty, netting the opener in Germany’s 5-0 rout of Hungary during the break, but that match also saw him pick up a muscle injury.
Julen Lopetegui has been urged to ring the changes to his Hammers side in the wake of a last-ditch 1-1 draw with Fulham, and that could see a fit-again Füllkrug lead the line for the foreseeable future.
At 31, it’s arguable that Füllkrug’s best years are behind him, but having left Dortmund to be the number-one striker, the German must stake that claim for the Irons sooner rather than later.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui has been urged to make a change to his side after a shock comparison emerged.
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