As a Borussia Dortmund fan, it was bittersweet to see Niclas Füllkrug leaving our ranks after just one season. But I understand that at 31 years old, this move to West Ham United is a lucrative one for him and for the club as we double our money after one season.
Füllkrug is an experienced striker with a strong reputation in the Bundesliga, and while his time at Dortmund was brief, I personally won’t forget his goal against Paris St Germain in the Champions League. Niclas thrives on physicality and positioning rather than pace. In a nutshell he’s a bit of a unit.
At 6’2” he’s a throwback to the classic target man. He’s strong and whilst not blessed with pace he will use his body to hold off defenders and bring others into play. His ability to win aerial duels will be a massive asset for West Ham but it’s going to be imperative your wingers or fullbacks deliver quality crosses and he’ll need pace in and around him, especially in the Premier League.
He is a quality finisher though, give him an opportunity and he’ll usually put it away. I also expect him to resonate with the West Ham faithful though because he’s not flashy, he’s efficient. It’s a trait that often goes underappreciated and he doesn’t take himself too seriously which I think the fans will appreciate.
At Dortmund, he wasn’t the focal point of our attack, but he knew how to put the ball in the back of the net when given the opportunity, the late equaliser against Leipzig from the bench to rescue a vital point for us last season is a great example. Whilst he’s not the kind of forward who will press relentlessly or chase down lost causes – you have Bowen for that.
His lack of pace is something that could be exposed in the Premier League, especially against teams that like to play a high line. He’s not going to beat defenders for speed, so West Ham’s success with Füllkrug will largely depend on how well the team adapts to his style of play.
If you’re playing 4-3-3 then it’ll be vital to create width from crosses and to get Bowen and Kudus up there with him. Füllkrug has also had his fair share of injuries and whilst he managed to stay relatively fit during his season at Dortmund, a lingering concern remains especially in a physically demanding Premier League. The money you’ve paid at this stage of his career is quite high in my opinion.
When Füllkrug first joined Dortmund, many of us were intrigued but cautious. We knew we weren’t getting a superstar but rather a seasoned professional who could add depth to our squad.
His role was never to be our main striker – that’s a job reserved for the likes of Sébastien Haller – but rather to provide reliable backup and offer something different when Plan A wasn’t working. Initially, it took some time for Füllkrug to find his feet, but once he did, he became a useful option for us, particularly in games where we struggled to break down stubborn defences.
He was never going to light up the Signal Iduna Park, but he earned the respect of the fans. Obviously it’s early days for him at West Ham but if he’s given a chance, scores a few goals then I can see him gaining a bit of a cult status.
The way he carries himself on the pitch, his work ethic and professionalism, the gap in his teeth, dare I say it he’s a bit more humble and relatable than some of the flashier personalities. Perhaps he’s your new Bobby Zamora. His ability to come off the bench and make an impact in tight games was invaluable for Dortmund and you can see he’s had that role for Germany too, he has the knack for scoring important goals in big moments.
So, what can West Ham fans expect? I don’t think Füllkrug will be your main source of goals, but he will be a valuable addition to your squad. His style of play should fit well with West Ham’s approach, especially if you’re looking for someone to hold up the ball and bring others into the game. If your wingers can deliver crosses, Füllkrug will thrive.
He’ll score goals, but he’s not going to be challenging for the Premier League Golden Boot. If Lopetegui can use him in the right way, I believe Füllkrug can be a solid, if unspectacular, signing for West Ham. Whilst Dortmund only had him for a year, we recognise that Füllkrug’s move to West Ham is a smart one for him personally.
He leaves with our best wishes, and while we don’t expect him to set the Premier League on fire, we’re confident he’ll bring a level of professionalism and experience that will benefit West Ham.
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