The international break is finally coming to an end this weekend, and West Ham United will be looking to continue their good form.
After a somewhat rocky start to life in the London Stadium dugout, Nuno Espírito Santo finally got a tune out of the Hammers before the break, beating Newcastle United and Burnley.
Those victories have done wonders for the atmosphere around the club, but even so, there is plenty of work to be done in the coming months.
Moreover, the board need to help the Portuguese coach overhaul the squad, and one way they can do that is by moving on one of Graham Potter’s worst signings, alongside Niclas Füllkrug.
The latest on Niclas Füllkrug
While some fans wanted Fullkrug to leave West Ham in the summer, the German decided to stay put and fight to turn things around.
However, like the rest of the team, he started this season in dire form and then, within two games of Nuno’s reign, tore a muscle, which has kept him out of the last four matches.
During that period, it became clear that the former Borussia Dortmund striker wanted to leave the club, and now, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that he will, and has already been in talks with sides from Germany and elsewhere.
On one hand, it could be seen as a shame that the Irons will be losing a German international after just a season and a half at the club.
However, on the other hand, this is a move the club need to facilitate for everyone’s sake, as describing the 32-year-old’s time in the capital as disappointing would be an understatement.
Appearances
20
7
Minutes
877′
385′
Goals
3
0
Assists
2
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.25
0.00
Minutes per Goal Involvement
175.4′
N/A
For example, since making his move to the club in the summer of 2024, he has scored just three goals and provided two assists in 27 appearances, totalling 1262 minutes.
Worse yet, he failed to score or assist a single goal in the seven appearances prior to his injury this season.
For whatever reason, the international marksman has looked like a totally different player in Claret and Blue from the one who racked up 25 goal involvements in his last season in Germany.
Therefore, getting rid of him in January would be best for all parties, which is unfortunately something that could be said about another international in West Ham’s squad.
The West Ham flop Nuno needs to axe
While it took a little while for them to settle in, it would be fair to say that most of West Ham’s summer signings have improved the squad.
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El Hadji Malick Diouf, for example, is a tremendous attacking full-back, Kyle Walker-Peters is great cover and even Callum Wilson has scored a couple of goals and is fine as a low-cost option.
However, one player who wasn’t low-cost and certainly has not improved the squad is Mads Hermansen.
Potter and Co paid Leicester City around £18m for the Danish international in the summer, and unfortunately, that fee is looking worse and worse with each passing game week.
For example, on his competitive debut for the club, he conceded three against Sunderland, then let in five at home to Chelsea the following week.
It was after the game against the West Londoners that Jamie Redknapp argued that he “needs to be changed”, and iconic commentator Ian Darke described the 25-year-old’s start to life in East London as “horrible.”
He then kept his first clean sheet against Nottingham Forest, but the next game saw him let in another three goals, this time at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Since then, the 25-year-old hasn’t been anywhere near the starting lineup, and in his place, Alphonse Areola has reminded the club that while not the most spectacular of keepers, he can do a job.
Therefore, when the winter window opens, the board should be looking to recoup as much as they can on the former Foxes star, as he’s clearly not good enough to be the number one, and he cost too much and is too unreliable to be a number two.
Ultimately, it might be ruthless, but for the good of his own career and the squad, West Ham need to ensure Hermansen follows Fullkrug out the door in January.
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