Journalist suggests new role on the cards for West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus
Journalist Paul Brown has suggested Mohammed Kudus could play a new role for West Ham by slotting in as a number ten in place of Thomas Soucek.
Kudus, who normally operates from the right-hand side where he is able to cut in on his left foot and create a chance or a shooting opportunity, has been left wanting in terms of game time so far this season.
If that number ten role does open up for him, he’s perfectly capable of performing to his best there as he often did with Ajax, while Jarrod Bowen occupies the space out on the right wing.
Brown spoke to GIVEMESPORT on 12 October, when he claimed: “I don’t know where Kudus will come into that team.
“It probably depends on the opposition because Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez have formed quite a nice partnership as the solid pair but West Ham started with Soucek just ahead of them almost as a number 10.
“You would expect that to be the ideal role really for Kudus, where he can operate in those pockets and try to be a goal threat. So, I would suspect that’s where they try to slot him in.”
A difficult situation
Kudus finds himself in a tricky situation at West Ham, with his performances from the bench especially impressive recently after he scored a late equaliser to draw his side level against Newcastle United.
The Ghanaian has struggled to get a start at West Ham, though. For all his impressive displays off the bench, all five of his Premier League appearances have been as a substitute, with his only starts coming in the Europa League group stage clashes against Freiburg and Backa Topola.
One issue with him starting as the number ten in David Moyes’ system would be the same reason Soucek starts there. The boss prefers a physical presence to crash the box and cause trouble with his size and presence. That’s something the Czech international offers that Kudus can’t.
However, the general consensus around the club is that Kudus needs to start games. If he won’t start over Jarrod Bowen, as he shouldn’t, then he will need to come in elsewhere.
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