Journalist shares what he’s been told about Mohammed Kudus amid West Ham United January transfer plans
West Ham United summer signing Mohammed Kudus could be used as an “alternate” number nine behind Michail Antonio as the club plans to sign a striker in January, according to Dean Jones.
The former Eurosport journalist, speaking to GiveMeSport (10 October) shares that he was told that the club see the Ghanaian international as a striker “alternator” and to not expect “guns blazing” immediately as he attempts to adjust to his new surroundings.
The former Ajax man has already made a telling contribution at the London Stadium since his £38m [Sky Sports, 28 August] big-money summer move, scoring twice in his eight games including a crucial equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday (8 October).
And Jones shares that the striker role was one which was earmarked for him upon his move from Ajax but the Hammers will have a lot of patience as he attempts to find his feet at the London Stadium.
He said: “I think it makes most sense that he goes in to alternate the forward role for a little bit. We know that West Ham are going to start looking towards signing a No.9 in the January market. We know that they’re looking for somebody to alternate with Antonio a bit”
“Before he came in, I was told that’s a role they had earmarked for him. It wouldn’t be just that position that he would play, but the two things I was told were to look out for him as a striker rotator and also don’t expect him to come in all guns blazing.
“There’s going to be patience with this guy because he is going to need time to settle and figure out exactly how he fits into the team set-up. I think we’re seeing that played out perfectly at the moment.”
Patience is needed
West Ham have had previous experience of players coming to the Premier League with plenty of expectation and then failing to live up to them, Gianluca Scamacca being the most recent example of somebody who never hit the heights that were anticipated when he joined.
However, there’s a case to argue that the Hammers and David Moyes simply did not have any patience on the Italian international which certainly looks as if they are trying to learn from with Kudus.
Also, Moyes’ reliable attacking quartet of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma have all started the campaign in fine shape which means Kudus will certainly have to wait for his opportunity.
However, there needs to be an understanding at the London Stadium just how experienced Kudus is at the highest level and he may not need a bedding-in period like other new signings.
The Ghanaian, as he has shown before at the World Cup last year and in the Champions League for Ajax, is a high-level performer.
He’s a player well accustomed to playing when the pressure is so high and it certainly won’t be long before we see him take to the London Stadium pitch on a consistent basis. Let’s not forget his tremendous versatility too which will come in handy in the coming weeks.
In other West Ham news, pundit Darren Bent believes a Hammers player is good enough to get into Manchester United’s starting line-up.