Micah Richards awestruck by Mohammed Kudus as West Ham United development emerges
Micah Richards raved about Mohammed Kudus after he has been handed his first West Ham start in the Premier League against Everton on Sunday (29 October).
Speaking on Sky Sports before the game (12:42pm), the pundit said he believes the 23-year-old forward is “outstanding” and that he “brings something special” after impressing in the limited opportunities he’s been handed so far at the London Stadium.
He added that the Ghanaian international deserves his first start in the Premier League as he is “not afraid” to pick up the ball in difficult areas as he looks to make things happen.
“I think he’s outstanding,” said Richards. “I saw him a lot when he was at Ajax, he’s come in for big-money. I like the fact he can play in loads of different positions, he can play number 10, left or right, just that quality in the final third.
“Going forward he just brings something special. I love his left foot, not afraid to get on the ball in difficult areas, releasing the ball at the right times, a little bit of skill and confidence. He deserves his first start.”
About time
It’s about time Kudus was handed his first start in the Premier League after waiting patiently since signing from Ajax over the summer.
He has impressed in the brief cameos he has been given in the league, having scored the equaliser against Newcastle United earlier this month.
The Ghanaian was the subject of plenty of interest throughout the summer, but he chose to join the Hammers to play regular first-team football.
The difficultly David Moyes has been finding is where to fit him in given the form of Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, with Michail Antonio almost a certainty to start.
But the Irons boss decided to take a gamble on bringing the forward in for midfielder Tomas Soucek against Everton in a bid to add more of an attacking threat to his side.
In other West Ham news, an £8million development has emerged in the club’s bid to sign Kalvin Phillips.