Tim Steidten, the new sporting director for West Ham, approached last summer’s transfer window with the enthusiasm of a child in a sweet shop, eager to acquire an array of promising new signings to bolster the squad. However, the reality of this ambitious shopping spree has proven to be more complicated than anticipated, with some of these acquisitions failing to deliver on expectations. Notably, Niclas Fullkrug has made it onto a rather infamous list of the ten worst signings of the summer, illustrating just how turbulent the club’s early season has been.
Julen Lopetegui, West Ham’s manager, has faced significant challenges in integrating the plethora of new arrivals into a cohesive system. This struggle has been mirrored in the team’s performance, as the East London club has not had the best of starts to the 2024/25 season. Indeed, the Hammers have set a new record in their storied history by failing to win any of their first three home games, a statistic that speaks volumes about their current predicament.
In the latest ranking compiled by the Italian outlet Tutto Juve, Fullkrug’s lackluster contributions have placed him among the top ten worst signings of the summer. This evaluation reflects a growing concern about his integration into the team and the overall effectiveness of West Ham’s summer transfer strategy. Some analysts and former executives in the Premier League have even gone so far as to suggest that Lopetegui’s tenure might not end favorably if there isn’t a marked improvement in both performance and results.
The list itself is telling of the challenges many clubs faced during the transfer window. Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United tops the list, while his teammate Joshua Zirkzee ranks fourth. Chelsea’s Joao Felix finds himself in second place, having once again underperformed at Stamford Bridge, and Crystal Palace’s acquisition of Eddie Nketiah claims the third spot. Rounding out the top six are Kalvin Phillips, who made the switch from Manchester City to Ipswich, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who transitioned from Leicester to Chelsea.
Fullkrug, who has been disappointing for the Hammers thus far, is positioned just after another former West Ham player, James Ward-Prowse. The decision to let Ward-Prowse leave for Nottingham Forest appears to be a positive one for West Ham at this stage, as he has been performing admirably elsewhere. The final spots on this dubious list are occupied by Ben Brereton and Sander Berge, whose transfers to Southampton and Fulham, respectively, have also failed to excite.
Amid these struggles, there is a glimmer of hope for West Ham supporters. According to Premier Injuries, Fullkrug may make a return for their next fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether he can rediscover the impressive form he showcased for Germany during the European Championship, hoping that his resurgence could be the catalyst for a turnaround in the club’s fortunes. As the season progresses, the pressure mounts for both Fullkrug and Lopetegui to deliver results and vindicate the bold decisions made last summer.