Mohammed Kudus explosion could buy time for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United
West Ham United’s hierarchy could give Julen Lopetegui the benefit of the doubt after Mohammed Kudus’ red card against Tottenham.
In the wake of the Ghanaian seeing red at the end of a 4-1 defeat in North London, The i reported on 21 October that Kudus’ sending off could be the beginning of the end when it comes to Lopetegui’s job.
However, with Kudus set for a three-game ban – which could be extended further if the FA take retrospective action [Daily Mirror, 21 October] – Lopetegui will be without arguably his best player for several key matches.
Given how talismanic Kudus was for David Moyes last season, the Hammers’ board could gift Lopetegui the time to further develop his style of play in Kudus’ absence, regardless of growing calls to sack him.
Mohammed Kudus red card could be turning point for West Ham
Lopetegui certainly can’t hide from the fact that his new-look side’s start to the season has been below-par by almost every single metric – and that’s with Kudus playing almost every single minute.
Without the Ghanaian though, Lopetegui will be forced into utilising alternative options in the attacking third, and this could open the door for him to save his job at the London Stadium.
The Hammers made two big-money signings out wide in the transfer window, yet Crysencio Summerville and Luis Guilherme have made a solitary league start and substitute appearance respectively.
Kudus’ absence means Lopetegui has to call upon one of, if not both of his new wingers for the next three games at least, giving the pair a chance to impress and, most importantly, win the Irons points.
Summerville and Guilherme in particular represent unknown quantities for Premier League defences [Tim Vickery, 7 August], and if their spells in the team prove successful, Kudus’ ban could prove to be what keeps Lopetegui in a job.
In other West Ham news, Henry Winter mooted a long-term issue at the London Stadium after Niclas Fullkrug’s latest setback.
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