Werder Bremen director of football Clemens Fritz has insisted he had no concerns about signing Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham this summer.
Füllkrug returned to his former club on loan in the summer transfer window following a difficult two years at the London Stadium.
He joined the Hammers in a £27m deal from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024 after shining in both the Bundesliga and Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final.
But he never managed to replicate that at West Ham. He managed just three goals and two assists in 29 games for the Hammers.
That was due to injuries, with the striker spending 221 days unavailable due to a relentless cycle of Achilles, hamstring, calf and muscle strains. Even when fit, West Ham’s set up rarely looked like it was designed to play to his strengths.
Return paying off
He returned to former club Bremen this summer looking to get his career back on track as a result. And he’s doing just that, with 11 goals in his first nine games making him the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer.
The move is very much working out for him and Bremen. And Fritz, who was key to making it happen, insists that he had no doubts.
“We weren’t sceptical at all! We acted with absolute conviction,” he told Milan News.
“I had been in contact with Niclas for a long time; our relationship never broke off, and we even played together a few years ago. We’ve always had a great rapport. I know him very well, and he knows Werder. That’s why there was no scepticism whatsoever.”
When asked why the striker is now performing so well compared to his struggles at West Ham, and even on loan at AC Milan, he insisted it’s a case of comfort.
“First and foremost, it was important for us to have him back, and we are truly delighted with his return to Bremen,” he added.
“I believe we’ve managed to provide an environment in which he feels extremely comfortable. He is a player who knows exactly what he needs—both in terms of his training regimen and how to take care of his own body.
“Naturally, it is important to pay attention to these aspects. That is why he didn’t start in the cup match against Dortmund—we have to take the management of his workload into account.
“He trains with great intensity and leads the team by example. We are truly happy to have him here. I believe it is the overall package that Bremen offers him that makes the difference.”
Experience key
There is also the experience element. This edition of Niclas Füllkrug is one who has learned from his difficult experiences in the last few years.
“I think it’s difficult to make a comparison, but he is more experienced now, which naturally brings certain advantages,” he concluded.
“And that’s precisely the point: he knows what he needs, he understands his own body, and he knows what he must do to reach his peak physical condition. We work intensively with him and maintain an ongoing dialogue, checking in regularly.
“It’s important for us that he shares his feelings and tells us how he’s doing; as I said, this exchange is fundamental.
“It’s also an advantage that he knows Bremen and the environment here. This is what we can offer him—what we strive to ensure for him, day in and day out. And, week after week, he repays us with top-tier performances.”
