Lopetegui to make simple Fullkrug decision that could save him at West Ham
Julen Lopetegui has to put full faith in West Ham United’s summer signing Niclas Fullkrug to fire the goals to save his job in East London.
The time has now come whereby Lopetegui has just about evaded the landing of his Hammers journey, but the Spaniard remains one poor performance from his side away from the chop.
Fullkrug, signed for in excess of £25million in the recent window, arrived for his maiden spell in England with a consistent goalscoring record for some top teams both domestically and on the international front.
But Lopetegui remains seemingly reluctant to use him since his return to fitness, even with the shortage of strikers he has at his disposal.
West Ham driving Niclas Fullkrug away
West Ham overcame Lopetegui’s former club Wolves on Monday night [9 December]. They – and he in particular – have survived for another week. Jarrod Bowen’s individual brilliance prevailed, while Lopetegui elected to go without a recognised striker.
Michail Antonio was paid tribute to by his teammates during and after the victory, with the veteran attacker with next to no chance of being seen on the pitch again this season.
Danny Ings entered the fray with 17 minutes to go and did little, while Fullkrug – a German international signed at a bumper cost from Borussia Dortmund – remained on the bench.
In fact, during the cameo Fullkrug made on his return at Leicester City, with the game well beyond his side, he scored. It must come as a source of frustration that Lopetegui just doesn’t appear to rate him.
The 31-year-old was evidently Tim Steidten and the recruitment team’s find rather than the head coach’s, and the Hammers could be in danger of pushing him away in search of another move.
His resale value is dwindling with his age and lack of playing time now he is fit, and the Irons’ inconsistency indicates not a great deal of confidence despite Monday’s win. It has to be time for the big man up front.
In other West Ham news, Mohammed Kudus is regaining form in the nick of time for his boss.
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