Germany International Niclas Fullkrug has had a strange first season in claret and blue. He missed a huge chunk of the season through injury, but when he has played, he’s looked impressive and actually has pretty good stats.

The German didn’t start the season as a starter with Michail Antonio leading the line, before starting a league game, he picked up an injury which kept him out for ten matches.

He returned in December and managed to start four matches in a row before picking up another injury after scoring against Manchester City. This injury kept him out for a further nine league matches.

Fullkrug returned to the squad in April, but he hasn’t been able to put together any consistent game time. It remains unclear whether Potter doesn’t see the striker as part of his plans, or if he’s just limiting his minutes due to his fitness.

However, I believe the decisions not to play Fullkrug in some of these games since his most recent return have been tactical and nothing more.

The German was benched in the games against Bournemouth, Liverpool, Brighton, and Manchester United. These were games that Potter would have expected to have less possession, and have to play a more counter-attacking style, a style that Fullkrug doesn’t fit at all.

If I had to make a prediction, Niclas Fullkrug will definitely be a West Ham United player next season, and if he can stay fit, he will play a very important part to play in it, even if we sign another striker.