There are no such thing as curses.
But, still, football is home to a few odd quirks that would make even the most rational supporter wonder if there is something a little sinister, a little supernatural, at work.
Portuguese giants Benfica have famously failed to win a single European title – despite reaching a fair few finals – in the 62 years since legendary coach Bela Guttman reportedly placed a ‘curse’ on the club as punishment for letting him go.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, could have been forgiven for leading an exorcism of the Carrington grounds after Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund were ruled out for the medium-term.
The injury nightmare of last season bleeding into the new one.
And, for West Ham, the club’s fanbase will need no introducing to their striker hoodoo.
Countless talented centre-forwards have passed through Upton Park and the London Stadium in recent years while seemingly leaving their goalscoring boots in the Airport terminal.
West Ham United in Dortmund talks for Niclas Fullkrug
Gianluca Scamacca and Sebastian Haller – two gifted number nines who have found the net pretty regularly either side of spells in claret and blue – could not break from tradition.
With talks underway, it could soon be the turn of long-time target Niclas Fullkrug to break a hex that has beset West Ham for well over a decade.
HITC understands that director Tim Steitden, the former Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen chief who knows Fullkrug well, has initiated talks with the Borussia Dortmund targetman.
And, with his warrior’s sprit and his missing teeth, the fearsome Fullkrug does not appear the type to let such superstition poison his mind.
“He is calmer and more relaxed (these days),” Gerhard Zuber, the long-time West Ham target’s former director at Nurnburg, tells Sky Sports.
A relaxed Fullkrug usually means a prolific Fullkrug.
The late-blooming powerhouse scored 15 times for Dortmund last term and took his fine form into the European Championships. Germany’s first-choice number nine now has an outstanding 13 goals from 21 caps despite only making his international debut in 2022.
“When he is fit, he is one of the best around,” adds Zuber, Fullkrug playing 43 times at club level in 2023/24 while putting previous injury issues behind him.
“In the past, he had small injuries. And when you are not playing every game you are not in the best shape. Momentum is the biggest advantage for him now.
“He is feeling good and you can see that with his shooting. That is very helpful. If you score goals then it gives you confidence and, if you have confidence, then you score goals. He has amazing physicality and he is doing everything he can to be in shape now.”
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West Ham are expected to pursue a more possession-based gameplan under Julen Lopetegui, the former Wolves boss replacing David Moyes in the dugout.
But in James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, the Hammers still have a handful of players capable of serving up silver-coated service for the 6ft 2ins Fullkrug when Lopetegui feels the need to go a little more direct.
Zuber rates Fullkrug has ‘one of the best in Europe’ when it comes to heading the ball.
“Every team needs a player like him,” adds the former Austria scout. “He does extra training sessions, always shooting.”
West Ham have turned their attention to Fullkrug after talks with Aston Villa over Jhon Duran dragged on.
Per Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger, Dortmund could demand around £25 million for the one-time Werder Bremen talisman.
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