West Ham United: David Moyes could drop Michail Antonio v Aston Villa
West Ham manager David Moyes could replace Michail Antonio with Mohammed Kudus for his side’s next match against Aston Villa, according to Roshane Thomas.
Antonio has started all eight of the Premier League games this season, but he has failed to score in the past five of those and is without a goal in six fixtures overall.
Kudus has made a lightning start to his West Ham career since joining from Ajax at the end of August, meanwhile, with his late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday (8 October) making it three goals in seven outings – just two of those being starts.
Writing for The Athletic on Tuesday (10 October), Thomas suggested Kudus may be in line for a full Premier League debut when the Irons return to league action at Villa Park on 22 October.
“Kudus is versatile and capable of playing in the No 10 role, across both flanks and as a centre-forward,” Thomas said. “In Moyes’ 4-2-3-1 system, Lucas Paqueta plays on the left, Jarrod Bowen on the right with James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek interchanging at No 10.
“Michail Antonio had a promising start to the season but, having failed to score in his last six games, Kudus could replace the Jamaica international with Bowen playing as the lead striker.
“The manager has openly spoken about wanting to transition Bowen, newly tied to an extended contract, into a forward. Such a change will further strengthen West Ham offensively with Kudus having longer to showcase why he was such a sought-after talent in the summer.”
Do it
On the face of it, this is a switch that makes total sense. Results have been positive enough with Antonio leading the line, but there is no doubt that Kudus needs to start games rather than being introduced from the substitutes’ bench.
Paqueta, Bowen and Ward-Prowse are undroppable, so Antonio is very much the fall guy up top. The Jamaica international always puts in a shift, but just one assist and no goals in five matches is not good enough.
This selection tweak relies on Bowen being able to properly lead the line for a run of games, with Kudus in turn playing on one flank and Paqueta on the other.
There are plenty of games to come this season as West Ham balance European and domestic commitments, so Antonio will have his fair share of chances to shine.
But Kudus is undoubtedly a bigger attacking threat and this change could help take the Hammers to the next level.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are struggling to stem the tide as another youngster has departed the club.