Mohammed Kudus' Red Flags Ahead of West Ham vs Tottenham EPL Showdown
- Mohammed Kudus must correct two pivotal weaknesses in his game as Tottenham Hotspur travel to West Ham on Saturday
- A section of West Ham fans is reportedly planning to whistle and boo Mohammed Kudus on his first return to the London Stadium
- A Ghanaian football expert has raised serious concerns about Kudus' red flags and urges him to quickly improve
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Tottenham Hotspur prepare to face West Ham United in a heated London derby at the London Stadium on Saturday, September 13, and all eyes are on Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghanaian forward, who made a £55 million switch from West Ham to Spurs this summer, finds himself at the centre of scrutiny for two major reasons that could define his impact in the clash.
Source: Getty Images
Kudus' dribbling numbers raise concerns
Kudus is widely admired for his directness and flair on the ball, but new statistics have sparked debate about his decision-making in possession.
According to data from WhoScored, the 24-year-old has recorded more unsuccessful dribbles than any other Premier League player since the start of last season.
Across spells at West Ham and now Spurs, the ex-Ajax man has amassed 110 failed dribbles, a figure that underlines both his daring style and his struggles with efficiency.
While supporters enjoy his fearless attempts to take on defenders, critics argue that his wastefulness often breaks up attacking momentum.
This narrative adds extra spice to Saturday’s encounter, with West Ham fans sure to remind their former talisman of his mixed record when he takes the pitch at the London Stadium.
West Ham vs. Tottenham: Kudus' goal drought
Ahead of the West Ham vs. Tottenham Premier League clash, equally troubling for Kudus is his current barren spell in front of goal.
Across six appearances this season — four for Spurs and two for Ghana — the forward has yet to find the back of the net, according to Transfermarkt.
Although he has contributed two assists in his opening four Premier League matches for Tottenham, Kudus’ inability to score has left Spurs fans wanting more from a player brought in to elevate their attack.
Source: Getty Images
His international form has not fared much better, as he drew blanks in Ghana’s recent fixtures against Chad and Mali, despite being heavily involved in their build-up play.
Although he registered an assist in N’Djamena, Mohammed Kudus’ body language suggested he is beginning to feel the pressure of his ongoing goal drought.
For a player renowned for clutch goals in European competitions with Ajax and eye-catching performances at the 2022 World Cup, this drought raises questions about whether he can quickly adapt to his new role under Thomas Frank.
Expert view on Kudus' goal drought
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh spoke to Ghanaian football administrator Oti Manu Joseph, who admitted that Kudus’ recent form warrants concern, especially given the expectations surrounding him after a big-money transfer.
“Kudus is a top talent, but at this level numbers matter. The dribbling statistics show he needs to refine his decision-making, and the lack of goals is worrying. Fans in England can be unforgiving, so he must respond quickly with performances that remind everyone of his quality,” Duah explained.
Derbies in London are always charged with intensity, and Saturday’s fixture promises even more intrigue given his history with West Ham, with a section of Hammers reportedly planning to boo Mohammed Kudus on Saturday.
A strong performance could silence critics and reignite his momentum, while another frustrating display may deepen concerns about his form.
How Mohammed Kudus can shine at Tottenham
YEN.com.gh earlier highlighted three key factors that could help Mohammed Kudus excel after his big-money move from West Ham.
The Ghanaian, who joined Tottenham for £55 million, according to Goal, has impressed in his first three outings for Spurs, but still has plenty to prove to hit the top level.
Source: YEN.com.gh
