(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Ciaran Morrison

Sat 23 August 2025 9:00, UK

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug was left frustrated in a dismal showing from his team mates as the Hammers were thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea.

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Graham Potter’s side went ahead through a Lucas Paqueta strike, and Fullkrug had a goal disallowed after a VAR intervention.

West Ham though were outclassed in the contest which puts further pressure on Potter after an opening 3-0 defeat at Sunderland a week earlier.

Fullkrug was taken off at half-time for his display, but the striker could do little up-front to change his sides fortunes as the stats show.

Fullkrug played 45 minutes against Chelsea.

(Credit Imago)

With Fullkrug in the West Ham side, the Hammers have a focal point and a physical striker to play off.

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Potter must either adapt the why he plays to suit and get the best out of Fullkrug or drop the striker in favour of Callum Wilson who signed as a free agent from Newcastle.

Minutes Played45Total Shots0Touches11Touches in opposition box1Fullkrug’s stats v Chelsea as per Fotmob.Potter took Fullkrug off at half-time.

(Credit: Imago)

West Ham have shown little going forward in their first two matches of the season, and they were reliant on a long-range Paqueta strike to break through the Chelsea defence.

Fullkrug thrives off balls into the box, but West Ham’s full-back’s were ineffective going forward and Paqueta is the only creative player in the side.
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