After Emerson blow, now £98k-a-week West Ham ace could miss Chelsea clash as well. West Ham United have one or two injury problems ahead of our clash with Chelsea on Saturday.
Julen Lopetegui made huge changes at the London Stadium over the course of the summer, bringing nine new players to West Ham.
He’s made a slow start to life in charge of West Ham though, as far as results are concerned, with a return of just four points from our opening four Premier League games. The Hammers head coach spoke to the press earlier today, and suggested that Emerson Palmieri faces a late fitness test ahead of the clash with Chelsea.
That’s far from ideal for obvious reasons – nobody wants to see Aaron Cresswell or Vladimir Coufal start against the Blues. However, West Ham face another problem ahead of the Chelsea game.
Now £98k-a-week West Ham ace could miss Chelsea as well. So Emerson already faces a late fitness test, but we’re forgetting about another player who’s suffering with an injury right now.
Niclas Fullkrug picked up an Achilles problem during international duty 10 days ago. The 31-year-old has been absent for the Hammers ever since, but everyone involved with West Ham is hopeful that he will return to action this weekend.
It appears as though that may well not be the case though. BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella has suggested that both Fullkrug and Emerson are doubts for Saturday’s clash with Chelsea:
“Emerson and Fullkrug are doubt for West Ham ahead of Chelsea’s visit.“
Emerson and Fullkrug are doubt for West Ham ahead of Chelsea’s visit. Having the Germany international unavailable for the Chelsea game will be a big blow for Lopetegui.
Patience needed with West Ham striker Fullkrug
Niclas Fullkrug, who earns £98k-a-week at the London Stadium (Salary Sport), has made a slow start to life with West Ham.
The 31-year-old joined the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and is still yet to score or provide an assist for us.
When Fullkrug joined us, he told the West Ham fans that he’s in the best condition he’s ever been in. However, we’re still yet to see many positive signs from the Germany international.
In fairness to Niclas Fullkrug though, he hasn’t been given a proper chance to show us all what he’s capable of yet.
Let’s hope that he’s fit enough to feature for West Ham against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. If he isn’t though, we all need to give him time to get back to his best physically. Let’s give him until the new year at least before we pass judgement on him.
