Pundit wowed by Mohammed Kudus amid current Jarrod Bowen issue at West Ham United
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie admits he has been stunned by the start Mohammed Kudus has made to his West Ham United career but shared that Jarrod Bowen should not be playing at centre-forward.
Kudus signed in a deal worth a big-money fee of £38m from Ajax in the summer and has hit the ground running, establishing himself as a regular starter under David Moyes.
So far this season, the Ghanaian international has scored six goals and registered one assist from 19 games in all competitions for the Hammers playing in several different positions in attack.
West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen has been deployed as David Moyes’ main man up front with Danny Ings and Michail Antonio struggling for form and injury, but McAvennie has slammed the decision.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, he said: “What a player Kudus is, I mean, he came out of nowhere.
“I’m thinking go on son! Now, you fling Said Benrahma in who’s may be getting a move elsewhere.
“But Bowen? Bowen is not a centre-forward, that’s not his game. He wants to run at people.
I think we’ve got players who can play the position, even Pablo Fornals.
“Some good players in there can help hold up the ball.
“I would like to see us more on the front foot but we have to wait and see.”
West Ham United are under something of a number nine curse right now with both Antonio and Ings struggling under the weight of expectation in leading the line for Moyes.
Youngster Divin Mubama has emerged as an outside bet, especially considering his ongoing contract talks at the London Stadium but recent displays have suggested he isn’t ready to lead the line consistently.
It is why Moyes has been forced to deploy Bowen up top and it’s a decision that has worked up to a point but certainly isn’t sustainable in the long-term.
Whether West Ham United will have the funds available to sign a striker in January is very uncertain right now but even if Antonio is fit and ready for the weekend, he doesn’t deserve to start games right now.
In other West Ham United news, Tony Gale saw something he had never previously witnessed a player do in the Hammers’ loss at Fulham.