Stats show Niclas Fullkrug was let down by West Ham teammates vs Chelsea
West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug was left frustrated in a dismal showing from his team mates as the Hammers were thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea.
Graham Potter’s side went ahead through a Lucas Paqueta strike, and Fullkrug had a goal disallowed after a VAR intervention.
West Ham though were outclassed in the contest which puts further pressure on Potter after an opening 3-0 defeat at Sunderland a week earlier.
Fullkrug was taken off at half-time for his display, but the striker could do little up-front to change his sides fortunes as the stats show.
Niclas Fullkrug left isolated against Chelsea
With Fullkrug in the West Ham side, the Hammers have a focal point and a physical striker to play off.
West Ham did not use the German’s strengths, in what could have been an asset to help them back into the game when they were behind.
Fullkrug’s lack of involvement is not an indication of the striker’s inability, but a showcase of how Potter’s possession based system does not suit the player.
Potter must either adapt the why he plays to suit and get the best out of Fullkrug or drop the striker in favour of Callum Wilson who signed as a free agent from Newcastle.
| Minutes Played | 45 |
| Total Shots | 0 |
| Touches | 11 |
| Touches in opposition box | 1 |
Graham Potter faces moral dilemma
West Ham have shown little going forward in their first two matches of the season, and they were reliant on a long-range Paqueta strike to break through the Chelsea defence.
Fullkrug, and his strike partner Jarrod Bowen, were both anonymous in the match and Wilson did not receive any greater service he was introduced.
Potter is unlikely to change his philosophy, so the manager needs the backing of the club to be able to go into the transfer market the sign the right players for his system.
With under two weeks of the transfer window remaining though it looks like Fullkrug will be one of his striking options for the season.
Fullkrug thrives off balls into the box, but West Ham’s full-back’s were ineffective going forward and Paqueta is the only creative player in the side.
The signs are worrying that unless Potter changes from his stubborn ways that the Hammers are on for a difficult campaign at the bottom end of the table.