Julen Lopetegui has been hit by a monumental new blow to one of his key stars as things go from bad to worse at West Ham.
Poor Julen Lopetegui must have walked under a few ladders after agreeing to become West Ham boss.
The Spaniard has had a target on his head in the press ever since taking over from media favourite David Moyes.
In truth the knives have been out for Lopetegui as a result of walking out on Wolves last summer.
The new West Ham head coach has not helped himself in many ways.
Lopetegui’s team selections and tactics have been heavily criticised by fans.
And results have been poor with just one Premier League win from five so far.
Just when the penny looked like it might have dropped at Liverpool in midweek, a series of mistakes from players and officials ended up with another Hammers collapse in a 5-1 defeat.
Liverpool’s goal was offside, West Ham saw three penalties turned down and the likes of Max Kilman, Carlos Soler and Crysencio Summerville spurned excellent chances.
Summerville’s saw the manager jump in the air in exasperation. When he landed he pulled his calf and has been on crutches ever since.
To rub salt in the wound Edson Alvarez was sent off so the Mexican midfielder misses the Premier League clash at Brentford.
He won’t be the only player missing, though, Hammers News can exclusively reveal.
West Ham have shared news of a monumental new blow to a star player on the eve of the Brentford clash.
Hammers fans could be forgiven for forgetting the club signed a brand new international class striker in the summer.
West Ham share monumental new blow to star player
Irons technical director Tim Steidten struck a £23.5m deal with Borussia Dortmund for his compatriot Niclas Fullkrug.
The move divided opinion among some West Ham supporters.
At 31 and with a questionable injury record, many felt West Ham should have brought in a younger, quicker striker than Fullkrug.
Especially as their only other forward options – besides playing Jarrod Bowen there – are ageing duo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
Nobody can doubt Fullkrug’s credentials as a top level finisher and target man.
Steidten declared the German international was ‘just what West Ham needed’ as a focal point for their pacy, skilful, powerful but diminutive attack.
However, Fullkrug spent the first three Prem games on the bench, much to the frustration of fans.
And the player himself as Fullkrug made it clear he hasn’t come to West Ham to play back-up to Antonio.
Yet another goal for Germany during the international break had fans demanding Fullkrug start at Fulham.
But the West Ham striker curse struck.
Fullkrug suffered an Achilles tendon and calf issue and returned early from the German squad.
Initially it was claimed the blow could keep Fullkrug out for six weeks.
But there was relief for Lopetegui when a club insider stated the forward would only miss the Fulham game.
He was once again missing for the defeat to Chelsea last weekend. Lopetegui then claimed he had been training but was not in the squad for Liverpool.
Fullkrug out until after October international break
Now Hammers News can unfortunately reveal that Fullkrug will not only miss the Brentford game, but Ipswich next weekend too.
