Tim Steidten grilled after Niclas Fullkrug transfer ‘disaster’ at West Ham
Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle have grilled Tim Steidten as Niclas Fullkrug’s signing proves to be a “disaster” at West Ham United.
Assessing the Irons’ 5-2 loss to Arsenal on Saturday [30 November], the NBC Sports pundits turned their attention towards Steidten’s work at the London Stadium in the summer.
Having had a conversation with the German, Mustoe acknowledged him as a confident person, but raised eyebrows at some of the signings he has made.
“Tim Steidten, by the way, who we had on our set, very confident, [but] some of the signings…”, the former Premier League player said on NBC Sports’ The 2 Robbies Podcast [1 December].
Earle picked out Fullkrug as the worst signing of the bunch, saying: “Fullkrug, it’s been a disaster.”
Mustoe, meanwhile, expressed his bewilderment at the Germany international’s fitness struggles.
“Can’t get fit”, he said.
Earle added that Michail Antonio should not be the Hammers’ main number nine and raised concerns over the team not progressing despite spending a significant amount of money over the years.
He said: “The point that Michail Antonio is still the centre-forward of the West Ham team… I love him and he should be a part of the team, but he shouldn’t be my main centre-forward when we need goals.
“For all the money that has been spent over all the years, we’re still going back to where we are.”
Tim Steidten continues to be subject of criticism for West Ham signing Niclas Fullkrug
It is hard to imagine Julen Lopetegui did not have a significant say on transfer after taking over the reins at West Ham in the summer, while David Sullivan is also known for insisting on certain matters.
However, Steidten was the driving force behind the East London outfit’s £27million signing of Fullkrug in the summer, as revealed by the striker himself [eingeDEICHT podcast, 22 October].
It is, therefore, no surprise that the technical director is often under scrutiny for the former Borussia Dortmund star’s signing, considering he has only played 63 minutes of Premier League football this season.
However, the 31-year-old is edging closer to regaining full fitness, with Lopetegui hopeful he can return to action in the next couple of games [The Athletic].
Steidten will be hopeful that Fullkrug can prove both their doubters wrong when he starts playing regularly for the Hammers.
The striker notched 15 goals and 10 assists in 43 games in his sole season at Dortmund and there is no reason why he cannot achieve similar numbers in England.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are planning to bolster their midfield with a move for this Ligue 1 star on the cards.
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