Fullkrug: Milan debut, Allegri talks, Ibrahimovic advice and hopes of permanent stay
Niclas Fullkrug has shared his first impressions after joining Milan, has talked about his discussions with Max Allegri and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and has explained where he thinks things went wrong for him at West Ham during his introductory press conference on Friday afternoon.
The Germany international became the first signing of the Serie A transfer window when he joined Milan on loan with an option to buy from West Ham on January 2. He had already been training with the Rossoneri for the week leading up to his unveiling, and has since gone on to make two Serie A appearances in the week since.
On Friday, he sat down for his introductory press conference in front of the media.
Fullkrug’s first impressions after joining Milan
“I think the team I’ve come into has a huge amount of quality, a lot of energy, togetherness, good energy,” Fullkrug said at the beginning of his first Milan press conference on Friday.
“I was impressed by the energy after the game we won against Cagliari, I saw it in the dressing room, and that’s telling. With my character and the way that I am, I think I can fit in well.
“I want to help the team to the best of my ability. It’s a great moment for me to come to Milan.”
“The team has helped me settle in. It’s a really positive group with a lot of positive energy. It was very easy to fit in, my teammates made me feel very welcome. I’m able to give my best in training because I felt at ease straight away.”
Fullkrug explained why he decided to take the no.9 shirt for the first time in his club career.
“For me, the no.9 is synonymous with goals. I’ve never had it in the past, apart from with Germany. I know it bears a certain weight. Players of enormous qualities have worn it here in Milan and I hope to live up to it.”
And how does Fullkrug feel about the prospect of playing in San Siro on a regular basis?
“I played here with Dortmund two years ago, so I already had a little preview of what it’s like to play here, but now, with a Milan shirt. This club has a magical aura, it’s magical to play for Milan in San Siro. I’m very happy to have got here and I’m grateful for this opportunity.
“The fans have welcomed me really positively. I would have liked to have scored already, but it was a good night. There will be excellent ones in the future, I’m sure.”
The German assured that Serie A football is not a new phenomenon to him.
“I’ve already watched a lot of games out of interest before I got here. I followed Serie A and of course, Milan as well. I knew how the team plays and the chances I would have to succeed in this team. I’m different to the other strikers in the squad. The quality is enormous in our attacking department.
“I think I bring a physical presence, occupying the area, and that can help the team in lots of situations. Within the first two games, I’ve realised that I have to battle with the opposing defenders. Hopefully you’ve seen that I’m ready to do it and am prepared to sacrifice myself.”
Talking tactics with Allegri and advice from Ibrahimovic
Milan have largely lined up in a 3-5-2 this season, but reporters were keen to ask Fullkrug if his presence means the possibility of an attacking trio along with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic.
He replied: “First of all, I have to make it clear that I can’t tell you what the coach says, I can’t answer that. The coach will field whichever team has the best chance of winning.
“Allegri has so much experience. He’s able to adapt the shape depending on the players. It’s important that the team wins, not the individual. It can be possible to have a bigger impact in 20-30 minutes than you do playing from the start sometimes. Playing three up front could be an option. We want a positive result on Sunday to stay near the top.”
And on the conversations he has had with Rossoneri advisor Ibrahimovic, Fullkrug said: “I’ve already met Zlatan. I had the pleasure of speaking to him and exchanging a few jokes. I watched him a lot when I was younger. He was an all-round striker. He gave me some advice, some tips and told me what he expects from me.”
Modric appeal, German heritage in Serie A, Milan 1-1 Genoa
To little surprise, the Ballon d’Or-winning Luka Modric is the star attraction of the current Milan dressing room.
“We have very strong players in our team. Modric has so much experience. I played against him in the Champions League final two years ago. I’m struck by his commitment both in the offensive phase and out of possession.
“But we have a lot of valuable players. I think I can form a good understanding with the wing-backs and also with Nkunku, Pulisic and Leao. We can form a trident and play in good harmony with each other.”
And why did Fullkrug decide to move to Italy at this stage of his career?
“Italy has always had a special place in my mind,” he said. “There are lots of Germans who have played here, like Klose, Voller and Bierhoff. Rudi speaks very well of Italy. Bierhoff said I would do well here.
“I think Serie A is a league that suits my qualities. It’s a league that fits me well in terms of the club, the lifestyle. I couldn’t say no to Milan at this stage.”
Fullkrug has already made two Serie A appearances since joining Milan, including in Thursday night’s chaotic 1-1 draw with Genoa: His San Siro debut. Reporters asked whether he felt he should have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages.
“There were a couple of different situations,” he said. “The decisions went against us, without wanting to accuse the referee of anything of course.
“Things were a bit uncertain. I took a stamp from the opponent. I was sure there would be a penalty for us, or that the referee would at least go to VAR, but it didn’t go as I thought. We had the chances to win anyway, we can’t blame the referee.”
And are the Milan squad genuinely thinking about winning the Scudetto this season?
“I think it’s right to talk publicly about the Champions League goal. We missed out on it last year, and this club has to represent Italy in Europe. We have to focus on every game. The things on a more distant horizon aren’t of interest to us. The next goal is Fiorentina. Getting three points there means three more towards the final goal.”
Where did things go wrong at West Ham?
Fullkrug went on to speak openly about his underwhelming stint in the Premier League: A spell which brought just three goals from 26 appearances over 18 months.
“With Werder and with BVB and the national team, things were going great for those three or four years. I was playing regularly, scoring and getting assists. That’s the level I want to get back to. I want to be available and contribute with goals and good performances,” he explained.
“West Ham wasn’t an easy place. I came in after a very long season, with 57 games. I couldn’t prepare well in pre-season because of the EUROs. I moved to West Ham without being able to prepare on a physical level.
“Things didn’t work out for me in England, but I hope to turn the page. I feel fresh, fit. I’ve felt good over the last two games. The medical team in Milan have helped me, they’ve given me an excellent training program.
“The feeling is good, I hope it continues like this because then I’ll be sure to score goals. How many, I don’t know. If the ball lands in the box, I will try to put it in the back of the net. We’ll see how many at the end of the season, but I hope to score some big goals.”
Staying at Milan permanently and World Cup hopes
Towards the end of his press conference, Fullkrug was asked if he hopes to stay on at Milan beyond the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
“Yes, of course,” he admitted. “I came here and didn’t go anywhere else because Mila unconvinced me and I wanted to come here. I feel completely comfortable. It’s a team that has a big emotional pull, it’s a well-supported club. I want to play for the big teams, for me it’s a good bit of pressure to manage. I hope to carry on like this in the future.
“It’s nice to play for a team that is successful and that is never satisfied with a draw. We’re the favourites in a lot of games and we have to live up to that. That takes a lot of work, but this is a team that wants to take on that role and I feel well-suited to it.
And on whether he hopes to play for Germany at the World Cup in the summer, Fullkrug said: “I’ve put in good performances for the national team, but I lost a bit of momentum as I had to turn down call-ups because of injuries. I hope to be available to them on a regular basis again and to be able to continue where I left off.
“I have a good goalscoring ratio for the national team, I love Germany and that’s a massive goal for me.”