I have been a regular apologist for West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus this season, but there comes a time when excuses have to stop. I fully understand the player is being deployed in his least favourite position but he’s starting to show it and the team are suffering as a result.
Undoubtedly, the mega-talented Kudus is better suited to a right-wing role rather than being shoehorned into the graveyard shift on the left-hand side of the Hammers’ attack. Certainly the Ghanaian’s time at Ajax also suggested he is more than capable of playing as a No. 10 and even occasionally as a centre-forward.
The player himself spoke of his delight at the appointment of Julen Lopetegui earlier this year, and after only two training sessions, he said, “I’m pleased we have a manager who knows how to coach right wing.”
After scoring against Brighton following his switch to the right-hand side in the send half, Kudus told the Ghanaian media, “It was good to score, and the goal came from where I’m most natural—on the right.”
Left wing has been a Hammers disaster in recent years
Let’s be fair, Kudus could not make it any clearer where he’d like to play, and most would agree he’s drawn the short straw. I have every sympathy for him and little doubt that a combination of no European football and being played out of position will hasten his departure from West Ham. The club has even admitted he’s up for sale.
Nonetheless, there comes a point where one just has to play the hand they’re dealt and get on with it, and I don’t feel Kudus is doing that. Against Southampton, he was a shadow of his former self and seemed devoid of any real drive or determination.
Gone were the attritional shoulder barges and mazy runs that made him one of the top dribblers in Europe last season. It was as if he really couldn’t be bothered, and I did wonder if he’d given up.
Obviously, I’m aware that Lopetegui isn’t blameless in this situation, but despite it not being his favoured position, Kudus is more than capable of being the best left winger at the club.
Perhaps the Hammers gaffer knows Kudus is set to leave, and I don’t blame him for favouring captain and club legend Jarrod Bowen on the right wing. Unfortunately, if things continue as they are, Kudus’ value will continue to depreciate because he is a shadow of the player we saw last season.
