Niclas Fullkrug’s West Ham United teammates know from experience that the straight-talking German is not one to mince his words and pull punches after a disappointing result.
After the Hammers conceded a last-gasp equaliser against hapless Southampton in April, Niclas Fullkrug launched into a furious post-match tirade.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s 93rd minute strike, the ‘very angry’ centre-forward argued, highlighted a real lack of ‘mentality’ in the home dressing room.
Goals may have been in short supply during his underwhelming debut season in the Premier League but Niclas Fullkrug earned himself hero status among many West Ham United supporters as he refused to engage in the sort of excuses which no longer wash with a disillusioned fanbase.
Question Fullkrug’s quality or his suitability to English football. But do not doubt his determination.
West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug says Germany have ‘no excuse’ for Portugal loss
Fullkrug made his first appearance for the German national team since September, meanwhile, as Julian Nagelsmann’s team were beaten 2-1 by Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Eleven years since being crowned World Champions in Brazil, another shot at silverware has slipped through the grasp of the ‘Nationalmannschaft’.
And when Fullkrug stepped out and fronted up before the post-match reporters, it will have come as no surprise among those familiar with his rather blunt approach to hear the former Borussia Dortmund targetman refuse to absolve himself or his teammates of responsibility.
“Failures are no excuse,” Fullkrug declared in his typically forthright manner.
“We are disappointed with the result but, above all, disappointed with our performance. [We were not] disciplined enough. For whatever reason.
“That must not happen to us.”
Nagelsmann recalled Fullkrug after Tim Kleindienst’s knee injury. After a stellar season with Borussia Monchengladbach, the West Ham-linked Kleindienst could be out of action for a considerable number of months. His participation in the 2026 World Cup already in doubt.
Nagelsmann chose Stuttgart ace Nick Woltemade over Fullkrug
Nagelsmann opted to hand Stuttgart’s so-called ‘two-metre Messi’ Nick Woltemade full debut against Portugal, meanwhile, with Fullkrug limited to a 30-minute cameo off the bench.
What Woltemade lacked in terms of international experience, the ex-Bayern Munich boss explains, he more than makes up for in ‘momentum’.
The silky, 6ft 6ins colossus is coming off the back of an exceptional 17-goal season with Stuttgart, after all, while Fullkrug managed only six Premier League starts in a West Ham shirt.
“[Starting Woltemade was a] courageous decision,” says a self-congratulating but defeated Nagelsmann.
“Of course, we also have to consider who might be able to provide a really good contribution in the game when they come off the bench. [But] Nick is in full swing and has scored a lot of goals.”
Fullkrug’s record in a German shirt stands at a highly-impressive 14 goals from 23 caps. There was never any real danger of a 15th, however, on a night where the West Ham number 11 managed only ten touches and zero shots.
“The substitution didn’t pay off,” sighed Germany legend Michael Ballack, speaking on DAZN while watching his beloved nation fall short in yet another tournament. “It didn’t bring any quality or dynamism.”
“A [Robin] Gosens or a Fullkrug, that’s not top-class European football. Of course you make substitutions, but that didn’t do our game any good. It got worse with every minute.”
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