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Oliver Bierhoff has given his approval to Niclas Fullkrug’s move to AC Milan this January. The German will arrive on loan with the option to buy.
A lot has been said about Fullkrug and whether he is the right man for Milan to move forward with. However, he provides a bit of flexibility in several ways. For now, he is a physical option to help Massimiliano Allegri.
If he kicks on, though, he is a low-cost option to help the striker department click. This morning, it has been revealed that the buy clause in his contract is only worth €5 million, making him a very affordable option.
Bierhoff’s view on the Fullkrug move
His recent stats do not fill many with confidence, but strikers can certainly go through poor patches. So, that is why Bierhoff has been asked about his view on the deal by Gazzetta dello Sport, for this morning’s edition of the paper, as seen below.
Bierhoff, what kind of player is Füllkrug?
“A classic first striker, an old-fashioned centre forward who can be very useful in a game system that involves a central striker who acts as a reference point.”
What are his best features?
“The skill in the banks and the presence in the penalty area. When he is set up with a cross from the wings, he takes a lot of heads because he has timing and knows how to anticipate the ball. Technically, he’s good and never gives up.”
We come to the weak points…
“He is not fast and should not be asked to attack the depth or lead the counterattack.”
How is it in the locker room?
“He’s not afraid to raise his voice when there’s a need. He is one of character and experience, one whom his companions listen to. In short, a leader.”
Why did he impose himself late in his career?
“He played a lot in the second German division. He scored, but he had injuries that slowed him down. It was always clear that he had potential, but he showed it late. It can happen: not all attackers explode young and some need more experience to mature.”
In 2017-18, he scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga with Hannover, but he gave his best from 2021-22 to Werder Bremen and then to Borussia Dortmund…
“They were his best seasons: he played continuously in his role, that of centre forward, and he scored several goals.”
Since November 2022, Füllkrug has also been called up by Germany, but she was no longer the team manager of the German national team…
“True, but I know him because since 2015 I have supervised all the German national teams and he was one of the talents of our Under 21: he did not immediately make the career and the path we expected, but he had the potential and in the end they came out.”
His numbers with Germany are not bad: 14 goals in 24 appearances…
“In the national team, he scored continuously because Füllkrug was what that team needed, that is a reference point in the area, a first point of weight that was found by his teammates, good at verticalising or crossing.”
The same type of player that Milan now serves as an alternative in the 3-5-2 to the starting pair formed by Leao and Pulisic…
“If Allegri wanted a first striker capable of creating spaces, making his presence felt and seeing the goal, he found it.”
In the last year and a half at West Ham, however, it didn’t go well. Why?
“He had a couple of injuries that did not allow him to find the best physical condition and to adapt to a championship other than the German one. Its value, however, is not in question.”
Can Füllkrug give an important boost to Milan, who are eager to return to the Champions League and maybe win the Scudetto of the second star?
“I hope so because I continue to cheer for my former team: I have remained tied to Milan and I follow what happens in Italy. Serie A is very balanced and this is positive because it must return to being the second most important league in Europe after the Premier League.”
Compared to last year, when the Rossoneri finished the round, it’s making a difference… Allegri on the bench?
“He is a very experienced coach who knows how to put the team well on the field and who has won a lot. I expected it to give a shock and bring back the right mentality.”
Despite his forties, Modric also made a nice contribution…
“Everyone knows her class. Rather, the contribution he is continuously giving, even in the recovery phase of the ball, is surprising. Playing one game a week makes the difference.”
Next year, if he stays and Milan qualifies for the Champions League, the Croatian will have to be dosed…
“I hope it happens. I don’t like watching the Champions League without Milan. Such a club should always be a protagonist in Europe.”
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