Alious
West Ham United is currently grappling with a significant striker problem, as their recent signing Niclas Fullkrug remains sidelined with no clear return date in sight. This situation has once again highlighted what seems to be a recurring issue for the club when it comes to strikers – they either underperform, suffer injuries, or depart the club prematurely even when they do well.
Fullkrug’s case appears to be the latest manifestation of this apparent “striker curse” at West Ham. The decision to sign the 31-year-old forward with a history of injuries was questioned by many during the summer transfer window. Despite these concerns, technical director Tim Steidten and manager Julen Lopetegui chose Fullkrug over younger, potentially less injury-prone options.
The German striker has already missed more than half of West Ham’s matches this season, and there are unconfirmed rumors circulating about the possibility of him requiring surgery. The club has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, adding to the worry surrounding the situation.
This turn of events has put Steidten’s decision-making under scrutiny. The technical director recently defended the signing, emphasizing Fullkrug’s leadership qualities and character as assets the team needed. However, Fullkrug’s continued absence from training sessions, including the most recent one as the team prepares to face Tottenham Hotspur, has left Lopetegui with limited options upfront.
Currently, the manager is relying on an aging Michail Antonio, who has only managed one goal in seven appearances this season, with Danny Ings as the sole backup option. As the January transfer window approaches, West Ham may need to address this striker shortage.
Interestingly, a potential solution may have emerged. Reports suggest that Alexander Sorloth, who was linked with West Ham in the summer before joining Atletico Madrid, is now regretting his decision and is interested in a move to the London club. According to El Periodico Mediterraneo, West Ham had made a formal bid for the 6’4″ Norwegian striker when he was at Villarreal, but the offer was rejected before Atletico secured his services for around £25 million.
Sorloth’s goal-scoring record is impressive, with 151 goals in 420 career appearances for club and country – 15 more than Fullkrug has managed, despite being three years younger. His standout performance last season, netting 26 goals and providing six assists in 41 games for Villarreal, had caught West Ham’s attention before they ultimately opted for Fullkrug.
Now, Caught Offside reports that Sorloth and his representatives are looking to revive a potential move to West Ham in January, following a difficult start to his career at Atletico Madrid. If West Ham were to pursue Sorloth, it would likely be on a loan deal with an option to buy.
The Norwegian striker is known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and proven goal-scoring prowess. His attributes could potentially flourish in a West Ham team that boasts quality attackers who could provide him with service.
Many West Ham supporters had hoped to see the club sign multiple forwards in the summer, given the lack of quality striker options compared to other Premier League clubs. With Antonio likely in his final season at the age of 34 and Ings expected to leave either in January or at the end of the season, West Ham may need to bolster their striking options regardless of Fullkrug’s eventual return to fitness.
As the club harbors ambitions of qualifying for European competition, addressing their striker situation becomes even more crucial. The potential availability of Sorloth could provide West Ham with an opportunity to strengthen their forward line and improve their chances of achieving their goals for the season.
Alious
