West Ham's £27m transfer mistake laid bare as Graham Potter faced with big decision
West Ham's £27m transfer mistake laid bare as Graham Potter faced with big decision
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When West Ham roped in Niclas Füllkrug from Borussia Dortmund for £27 million last summer, there was optimism that he would be the striker they desperately needed. The German international arrived with a reputation of being a reliable goalscorer, but there was always a lingering concern – his injury record. As per reports, Tim Steidten, West Ham’s former technical director who left the club on Tuesday, was well aware of these concerns. According to sources close to him, he admitted that signing Füllkrug was a risk, yet he pushed ahead due to the club’s urgent need for a striker.
The gamble did not pay off. An Achilles tendon injury he suffered just a month after his arrival, sidelined him for three months. Although he returned in December and showed promise with two goals and an assist, another setback followed – a hamstring injury in January that has kept him out since. Steidten’s departure from West Ham was down to multiple recruitment decisions that have been questioned by the West Ham bosses. The club’s hierarchy was reportedly concerned with the significant financial outlay on players who have failed to make an impact.
Maximilian Kilman’s £40 million move from Wolves is another deal Steidten reportedly questioned in private, believing the club overpaid. The loan departure of Nayef Aguerd to Real Sociedad was also controversial, with conflicting reports on whether Steidten or former manager Julen Lopetegui pushed for the move. These recruitment missteps, coupled with Steidten’s disagreements with both David Moyes and Lopetegui, ultimately led to his exit. Despite early success in signing Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez, the overall strategy left West Ham in a precarious position.
Füllkrug’s injury struggles forced West Ham to act in the January transfer window. Their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, despite a rejected summer bid of over £30 million, ended in another failure, with Villa also refusing their improved £57 million offer. In the end, the club turned to Brighton ’s Evan Ferguson, signing him on loan to provide much-needed attacking reinforcements. Graham Potter, recently appointed as West Ham’s head coach, now faces the challenge of making the best of a squad assembled under a flawed recruitment strategy.
With Füllkrug’s fitness remaining a major doubt, West Ham’s decision-making in the transfer market is once again under intense scrutiny. West Ham’s handling of Füllkrug’s transfer serves as a stark warning about due diligence in recruitment. Steidten’s departure reflects the consequences of prioritising short-term needs over long-term planning. With a new head of recruitment in place and Potter looking to steady the ship, West Ham must ensure that future signings are not just talented but also physically reliable. Otherwise, they risk repeating the same costly mistakes that have left them in this predicament.
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