When Niclas Fullkrug – the latest in a long line of West Ham United striking flops – opened his AC Milan account just weeks after joining, it was tempting to wonder if history was about to repeat itself.
The only thing more frustrating than seeing your big-money centre-forward struggle in front of goal is the sight of him rediscovering that poacher’s instinct as soon as he departs.
Gianluca Scamacca may be tainted by his West Ham stint, but he is finding the net regularly again in Italy. Sebastian Haller plundered 34 goals in his first full season at Ajax after leaving the London Stadium.
So as Fullkrug headed Milan in front against Lecce – beating his tally for the entire first half of the season with a simple back-post finish – was the German about to get everyone dusting off the cliches and talking about that so-called striker ‘curse’ once again?
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
Well, perhaps not.
That remains Fullkrug’s only goal in nine appearances for the Rossoneri. He missed a glorious chance to double his tally against Pisa last week too, slamming a penalty wide of target.
Fullkrug would apologise to the Milan fans, while owing a debt of gratitude to one of the few players in the Milan squad who would make him look like a young whippersnapper; 40-year-old Luka Modric strolling in a late winner.
Niclas Fullkrug attracting questions as West Ham United loanee stutters at AC Milan
Fullkrug thanked the Milan fans for the warm welcome they gave him following that mid-season move to the San Siro.
A 33-year-old without a single goal all season was not the January signing the Rossoneri faithful were dreaming of. Or, if you believe the reports, the manager either. Max Allegri allegedly had serious reservations about signing Fullkrug from the Hammers.
Having started only one game, and his nine appearances averaging at around 30 minutes a pop, Fullkrug’s impact sub role should negate concerns over his fitness. He was not signed to play the full 90, it seems, but to enter the fray in the dying embers.
Still, these returns mean that a transfer greeted more with acceptance than excitement was bound to come into question eventually. Particularly after a 1-1 midweek draw with Como leaves Milan seven points adrift of rivals Inter at the top of the Scudetto.
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“[Against Pisa] Milan squandered the chance that would have sealed the game, a poorly-kicked penalty from Fullkrug,” reporter Stefano Borghi said on his official YouTube channel. “With that feint, he expected the goalkeeper to make a move. But it didn’t happen, and he faltered and shot wide.
“On these occasions, he needs to be effective, because that’s what he came in for. If he doesn’t [start scoring], his contribution will inevitably be diminished.
“He came in to come on and make his mark on these occasions, but the other night he risked making things very complicated [for Milan].”
Fullkrug said sorry after missing a penalty against Pisa
Fullkrug has now scored only once in 18 matches this season, for Milan and West Ham. Taty Castellanos has got double that since joining the Hammers from Lazio as his replacement only a month ago.
In fact, since making that £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, the Germany international found the net just four times in 38 outings.
“I’ve definitely had better days,” Fullkrug wrote in a grovelling Instagram apology. “Fortunately, the penalty wasn’t decisive. Thank you, team!”
He might not be quite so lucky next time around. There won’t always be somebody to bail him out, especially in a Milan side relatively short on genuine match-winning talent.
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