Lopetegui has to start Niclas Fullkrug for West Ham United after what he did for Germany
Niclas Fullkrug staked his claim to start up front for West Ham United with a goal in Germany’s 5-0 rout of Hungary.
The 31-year-old forward was selected to spearhead an attack-minded Germany team in Dusseldorf and opened the scoring with a close-range tap-in after being teed up by Jamal Musiala in the 27th minute.
That goal gave Die Mannschaft the advantage at half-time, and Germany flew out of the blocks in the second period to pull away by scoring four more times, with Fullkrug withdrawn in the 60th minute.
Fullkrug proving to be the difference in the early stages of the match should be a clear sign to Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, that he is the player who should lead the line at the London Stadium this season.
Niclas Fullkrug has to be the starting striker for West Ham United
The Hammers spent a whopping £27million on 31-year-old Fullkrug to fill their striker void this summer, but the German international is yet to start a Premier League match for Lopetegui’s new-look side.
Despite this, Fullkrug being selected to start – and scoring – for his country shows that in order for the Irons to get the best out of the veteran frontman, he needs to be on the field from the start of matches.
Lopetegui has picked up from where David Moyes left off by keeping faith with Michail Antonio, starting the veteran in his three league matches so far, but the Jamaican international is yet to find the net.
The season’s first international; break has of far shown that in order for Lopetegui to get his side back to winning ways, Fullkrug must be the man to lead the line if the Spaniard wants his side to start well.
The Irons have conceded inside the opening 10 minutes in both their Premier League losses this season, and Fullkrug has shown he’s a player who can execute chances regardless of when they come to him.
In other West Ham news, another Irons star saw a return to form on international duty with an assist in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
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