Jurgen Klopp has delivered a final insult to former West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo after recalling Niclas Fullkrug to the Germany squad and explaining exactly what makes the striker so influential.

Hammers-owned forward Niclas Fullkrug is thriving in the Bundesliga after being pushed out of east London by Nuno Espirito Santo, leaving West Ham to watch on as their own striking options struggle.

A leading source in the corridors of power at the London Stadium previously exclusively told Hammers News that Nuno did not want Fullkrug at West Ham “under any circumstances” this season.

The Hammers find themselves in a frankly farcical position heading into the international break. Their former manager made it clear he did not want Fullkrug at the club, yet the striker is now the Bundesliga’s leading goalscorer and has earned a return to the squad of four-time World Cup winners Germany under one of the best managers on the planet.

Klopp verdict is final insult on Nuno’s farcical Fullkrug decision

Fullkrug has scored 12 goals on loan at Werder Bremen from West Ham. To make matters even worse, Nuno wanted the striker out so desperately that the Hammers could not command a loan fee, with Werder merely covering his wages.

Now Jurgen Klopp has not simply rewarded those goals with a Germany call-up.

His assessment of Fullkrug has also highlighted the qualities Nuno failed to bring out of a player who cost West Ham £27m, but could have paid that back eight-fold by getting the goals that got them back aboard the Premier League gravytrain.

Germany boss Klopp was asked about his decision to recall West Ham-owned Fullkrug and made clear that goals are only part of what he brings to a team, as long as he feels well supported and important.

“Being in good form and scoring goals is never a bad thing,” Klopp told the German media.

He then went into greater detail about Fullkrug’s performances and his influence on those around him.

“As I said, there were quite a few games, and Füllkrug performed quite well during that time, and in a variety of ways, but almost all of them were spectacular, but he scored different goals for Werder Bremen, he has an incredible influence on the game, not only through his goals, but also through the way he presents himself.

“Of course, the experience he brings is a huge help, but I don’t believe it was always there in every phase, even though he is generally a positive guy, but he wasn’t able to influence a team in every phase of his career.

“In Bremen, if you feel comfortable, if you feel at home, then you can see what’s happening.”

£27m Fullkrug could have paid West Ham back eight-fold

That final point is particularly telling for West Ham.

Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus has already suggested Fullkrug had lacked the warmth and love he needed at West Ham. Klopp’s comments now underline the importance of making a player feel at home and allowing him to influence a team.

That is precisely what Nuno failed to do.

Hammers News understands Nuno was solely responsible for the decision to send Fullkrug out of West Ham, with a source making the manager’s position absolutely clear: he did not want the German striker at the club under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

The same source acknowledged the optics regarding Fullkrug do not reflect well on Nuno and West Ham, saying it was “hard to believe he would have failed in the Championship”.

West Ham could certainly have used a striker with his experience, physical presence and ability to finish chances. Instead, Nuno pushed him out without a transfer fee and left the club relying on other forwards to deliver.

They have not.

There is also a much wider financial consequence to consider.

West Ham spent around £27m bringing Fullkrug to the London Stadium. Keeping him involved, restoring his confidence and getting the best out of him could have helped the club avoid wasting that investment and, crucially, improve their chances of promotion.

Returning to the Premier League is worth an estimated £150m-£200m to a club, depending on the financial circumstances and subsequent seasons. That is the prize West Ham are chasing, and the value of a reliable goalscorer in that pursuit should not be underestimated.

For Nuno, it is a final and particularly uncomfortable reminder of what his decision has cost the club.

And what Scott Parker would probably give for a fit and firing Fullkrug at West Ham now he has taken over.

But as Hammers News exclusively revealed, Fullkrug cannot be recalled by West Ham in January.