Mohammed Kudus unique: Versatile ahead able to step up for Graham Potter as West Ham’s striker | Soccer Information

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You generally hear versatility described as each a power and a weak spot in soccer, however Mohammed Kudus is seeing his means to play in quite a few positions as a optimistic as he will get used to life underneath Graham Potter at West Ham.

It has been a turbulent time for West Ham.

There’s been a change within the dugout with Potter changing Julen Lopetegui and accidents to forwards Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have left Danny Ings’ because the Hammers’ solely match striker.

It is led to Kudus taking part in 4 positions, together with as a central striker, already in simply three matches underneath Potter, and whereas he acknowledges it isn’t a great scenario, he is glad to assist the crew in any approach he can because the hammers put together to tackle Aston Villa on Tremendous Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 4.30pm.


Sunday twenty sixth January 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm


“In three games I have played four different positions, which is a plus, but it is also very difficult,” Kudus advised Sky Sports activities.

“Whenever you play in a sure place for a protracted time frame, it turns into pure. The actions are pure. However being versatile is sweet for the coach, particularly with the accidents. I can play quite a few positions and I do not thoughts that and I do not thoughts doing a job for the crew to get the three factors.

“I’m still learning in other roles and I’m trying to help the team,” he added.

“With the new manager, it’s about what is expected of me depending on the position I am playing. It’s very different playing wide to playing as a second striker or even as the striker.

“I would like to have the ability to change my thoughts shortly to have the ability to adapt no matter place I am in. it is one thing I have to work on and enhance on.”

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New West Ham boss, Graham Potter discusses whether or not Mohammed Kudus has the flexibility to play the central position following Fullkrug’s damage

New Hammers boss Potter defined he could should get ‘inventive’ due to the accidents to ahead and Kudus, who has expertise of main the road with former membership Ajax and West Ham, was used as a central striker within the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace final weekend.

West Ham have additionally been very public of their bid to recruit a brand new ahead on this window with the membership having a bid rejected by Sunday’s opponents Aston Villa for striker Jhon Duran.

Nevertheless, whereas the 24-year-old admits he nonetheless has lots to be taught as a striker, it is a position he is able to embrace and a problem he’s relishing.

“I need to be stronger,” Kudus mentioned on the challenges of taking part in as a centre-forward.

“I’m playing against big, strong central defenders. I have to be strong to protect the ball. Obviously, they are bigger than me, but I definitely can do a job there for the team.

I just have to learn more movements and learn how I can help the team better.

“However I’m a robust participant too. It is positively a problem however I’m good for it and a problem I relish.”

Kudus and the Premier League – a match made in heaven?

West Ham ahead Mohammed Kudus:

“The Premier League is a really intense league.

“There’s a lot of operating and also you want power.
You additionally have to be technical, and I consider I’ve all these attributes.

“It’s been an up and down season for the entire crew, however we’re chargeable for or personal particular person performances as effectively, however the focus is on the crew and enhancing.

“In fact, you wish to rating and wish to help, however the factors are crucial factor.
That’s what we’re all focussed on.”

‘Gamers to adapt after supervisor change’

West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Ipswich
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Kudus has three league targets to his title thus far this season

Kudus has develop into a key determine at West Ham since his £38m transfer from Ajax in the summertime of 2023.

He hit the bottom operating in east London final season, scoring 14 targets in all competitions as West Ham secured a top-half end within the league and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

Kudus hasn’t fairly hit the identical heights this season, scoring simply 3 times within the league for the Hammers. West Ham have not fairly hit the identical heights this season, which led to the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui after simply 20 video games in cost within the league.

Potter is the brand new man on the helm for West Ham and whereas Kudus insists the change of supervisor has had its challenges, believes he and his team-mates should step as much as get their season again on observe.

West Ham's Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring their equaliser with Crysencio Summerville
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Kudus celebrates with Crysencio Summerville

He mentioned: “It’s been difficult [changing managers].

“There is a tactical aspect as a result of each supervisor has their mind-set. There is a particular position supervisor A expects from you after which supervisor B expects one other approach.

“The quickness of how fast you have to change that in your head and how quickly you have to adapt to a new way of playing, it’s difficult. But as professionals, that is our job.

“We won’t management who the membership usher in as supervisor however we are able to management our effort, our power and our ardour.

“Whoever is the manager, that can change, but you can always run a lot, track back, push and fight. That part of the game always stays the same regardless of who the manager is.

“However the tactical a part of the sport and the way in which of taking part in, it has an impression. As a bunch of gamers we’ve got to alter shortly and adapt to the way in which the brand new coach needs to play.”

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from West Ham’s match in opposition to Crystal Palace within the Premier League

“We are all leaders on the pitch, irrespective of who has the captain’s armband,” he added. “We all have a role to play, even the guys who are on the bench.

“It is about supporting your team-mates and getting them up and prepared for the sport as a result of in some video games it has been the bench that has modified the sport.

“It’s about the whole squad. It’s about taking responsibility, doing your job and making sure the guy next to you is doing his. We need everyone because we all have an important role to play.”

‘Potter has lifted power’

Graham Potter applauds at the final whistle
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Graham Potter applauds the followers on the London Stadium

A win over Fulham within the league was sandwiched between an FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa and final weekend’s disappointing defeat at house to Crystal Palace as Potter was shortly thrust into the motion.

Three video games in every week left little time for the brand new coach to get his strategies throughout to the gamers on the coaching pitch however Kudus has seen the power elevate amongst the West Ham squad since Potter’s arrival.

“He demands a lot,” Kudus mentioned.

“He’s only been here a short period of time but we can feel the energy as players.

“For me, it was the identical with the previous supervisor, they count on so much, and the difficult half is replicating what he needs me to do in his system. I do know we do not have time, however these things does take time. The followers count on factors immediately and we’ve got to get wins, however settling into a brand new approach of taking part in takes time.”

Kudus backing West ham for ‘assertion’ win at Villa

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from West Ham’s match in opposition to Fulham within the Premier League

It is time they’ve had this week with no midweek video games as they put together to face Aston Villa at Villa Park, stay on Sky Sports activities on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm).

The Hammers have received simply seven video games within the Premier League thus far this season, shedding 10 video games. Nevertheless, with such a congested league desk, a run of wins would see Potter’s aspect climb the desk in time.

Kudus believes there isn’t a higher place to start out a run of wins than at Villa Park.

“It’s a tough league,” he mentioned. “It takes so much to get factors.

skysports mohammed kudus west 6808435

It means so much to function in 50 Premier league video games for West Ham. Nevertheless, the crew comes first. We wish to be excessive up the desk and that’s the place the main target is.

Kudus on making his fiftieth premier League look

“But it’s also a very tight league. There aren’t big points between a lot of the teams.

“In case you can win just a few video games, you may quickly transfer up the league. We’re very conscious of that and that’s the reason we have to hold going week in, week out. Two or three wins and we might stand up the desk, that is why we have to keep focussed and hold going.

“It is tough with the games coming thick and fast, but we have the whole week to prepare for Aston Villa. We can really soak in what the manager expects. We’ve had a good run of training sessions to take in everything and how he wants us to play.

“It is a huge sport and a possibility for us to make a press release.”

Watch Aston Villa vs West Ham stay on Sky Sports activities on Tremendous Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.

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