West Ham United sources share what Tim Steidten now admits he got wrong
Tim Steidten accepts signing Niclas Fullkrug for West Ham United was a “mistake”, according to The Athletic.
The news outlet reported on Wednesday (5 February) that sources within the East London outfit confirmed Steidten knew the risks around signing the German but did so anyway, with little other options remaining in the summer transfer market.
West Ham announced on Tuesday (4 February) the decision to part ways with the sporting director – an inevitability after Graham Potter pushed for recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay to join him from Chelsea [The Guardian].
The article by Roshane Thomas reads: “Privately, sources close to Steidten say he has admitted buying Fullkrug was a mistake. He was concerned about his injury record and aware of the risk.
“But he felt West Ham had no other options given their need for a striker. Those sources say Steidten admits he was too naive in making things happen, no matter what.”
Niclas Fullkrug was a mistake for West Ham United
The 31-year-old arrived at the London Stadium with the promise of scoring the goals that would fire West Ham into the European places in the Premier League.
However, his spell in East London has been nothing short of disastrous after he was confirmed to be ruled out for up to three months [Jack Rosser] following another injury setback in the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa in the FA Cup (10 January).
Indeed, he missed most of the first half of the campaign with an Achilles tendon injury and, despite scoring against Leicester City and Manchester City following his return, will face an uphill battle to return to Potter’s plans.
The Deadline Day arrival of loan signing Evan Ferguson from Brighton certainly complicates matters for the German, who will undoubtedly see his game time limited once he recovers to avoid a third long-term injury setback.
Steidten’s transfer dealings have come under the microscope in the build-up to his departure, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka the only certified success as things stand.
Although Steidten’s admission has no significant impact in the grand scheme, it justifies to the Hammers faithful that a blatantly incompetent figure has been sent packing in East London.
In other West Ham news, Jamie O’Hara issues one-word insult on air after Chelsea win against the Irons.
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