West Ham fans won’t believe Julen Lopetegui’s response when asked about Danny Ings goal vs Fulham

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Danny Ings rescued a point for West Ham United against Fulham on Saturday, after Julen Lopetegui threw him on for the final 10 minutes.

Julen Lopetegui received plenty of criticism from the West Ham fans throughout the game against Fulham, but he was rescued in the end by a last-minute Danny Ings equaliser.

After the game, Julen Lopetegui actually suggested that Danny Ings is a great example to all of his West Ham teammates.

The 32-year-old striker joined the Hammers from Aston Villa in the summer of 2023 for around £15 million.

However, he has scored only five goals for the Hammers since then – an absolutely woeful return.

That said, his last goal for us was the most important of his West Ham career so far.

How different things could’ve been. Ings was being heavily linked with an exit from the London Stadium in the summer.

In fact, the club were reportedly doing everything they could to shift Ings in the summer transfer window.

Now, with the Ings redemption arc in full flow, Lopetegui has shared a somewhat surprising response when asked about the striker’s equaliser against Fulham.

Lopetegui’s response when asked about Danny Ings goal v Fulham

We should all be very grateful for Ings’s goal at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

However, I still don’t envisage a scenario whereby he’ll still be at the London Stadium beyond the end of his contract in the summer of 2025.

The fact that West Ham tried so hard to get rid of him in the summer tells me that that will be the case, regardless of what happens over the next 12 months.

So with that in mind, Lopetegui’s latest comments on Ings were surprising to read.

The Athletic quote the Hammers head coach responding to a question asking him if he was surprised when the 32-year-old slotted home in the dying minutes against Fulham.

“Unexpected? No, he’s our striker and that’s why he plays.”

Well those comments represent a big U-turn from Lopetegui OR, he’s just being disingenuous.

Lopetegui’s comments on Ings don’t add up

So, if the Spaniard really wasn’t surprised by Ings’ contribution on Saturday, why has the striker been given just 13 minutes of action this season?

It doesn’t add up does it.

Michail Antonio has started every Premier League game for the Hammers this season, with Niclas Fullkrug being subbed on in every match – all bar one.

The German was ruled out of the Fulham clash due to injury, and that’s the only reason why Ings was thrown on late in the game.

I truly believe that Danny Ings will no longer be a West Ham player this time next year, especially if Julen Lopetegui is still in charge.

And if that ends up being the case, the manager’s comments on the striker will be proven to be as meaningless as I suspected they were.