Füllkrug leads Bundesliga golden boot race

Former West Ham United forward Niclas Füllkrug is currently leading the race for the Bundesliga golden boot, ahead of this year’s Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane. The thirty-three-year-old has scored nine goals in nine games for Werder Bremen, a stark contrast to his time in the Premier League where he managed only five goal contributions across two years.

Füllkrug’s stint at West Ham was heavily hampered by injuries and he struggled to perform in a side that steadily slumped towards relegation. Now back at his boyhood club after 12 years, the German international is thriving at the sharp end of a resurgent Bremen side that has climbed to sixth in the table.

Following a narrow defeat to Stuttgart, Füllkrug was asked about his inclusion in Jurgen Klopp’s latest Germany selection but quickly dismissed the question. He responded by saying, "A little respect. We just lost a game. That's not in my head right now."

Despite his struggles in England, Füllkrug’s resurgence shows that not making it in the Premier League does not mean a player cannot perform on the big stage.