
Speaking candidly on the podcast Copa TS, the German international reflected on his decision to leave the Bundesliga and the challenges he has faced in England.
Adjusting to Life in the Premier League
Füllkrug admitted that his move to West Ham was a calculated risk. “Of course, I also had very intensive discussions about such a risky step,” he said. “I knew that I was taking a step deeper and taking a certain risk that I wouldn’t play internationally next year, maybe not the year after that either, and that I would make a big, big change.”
Despite thorough discussions with manager David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten, who he had worked with at Werder Bremen, Füllkrug described the reality as challenging: “Things were going really badly for me too, to put it bluntly.”
Injury Struggles and Frustrations
Since arriving at West Ham, Füllkrug has been sidelined for much of the season due to injury. Reflecting on his fitness issues, he explained: “I was injured for three months and didn’t even reach my top performance because I’ve only been training for a week and a half. It seemed like I was back at a good level relatively quickly because I came in and scored the goal.”
However, recurring Achilles tendon inflammation disrupted his progress. “My Achilles tendon was inflamed and it was really annoying. I’ve had something like that before, it lasted six weeks, now it’s taken a bit longer and this phase is catastrophic. You just want to play and you feel like you’re close, but then there’s another setback.”
Future Prospects
Amidst these challenges, rumours have emerged suggesting that Füllkrug might leave West Ham as early as January. Italian outlet Calciomercato.com has reported that Juventus Turin could be a potential destination for the striker.
For now, Füllkrug is focused on staying fit and contributing to his team: “Now I hope to stay fit.”
Site Opinion
Niclas Füllkrug’s honesty about his struggles in the Premier League highlights the difficulty of transitioning to one of the world’s toughest leagues. His injuries and disrupted integration reflect the physical demands of English football and the pressure placed on international stars to deliver quickly.
However, Füllkrug’s determination to overcome these obstacles demonstrates his resilience. Whether he remains at West Ham or moves to a new club, his experience underscores the importance of patience and adaptation in elite-level football. Fans will hope that Füllkrug can regain his fitness and show the form that made him a standout in the Bundesliga.
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