Former West Ham and Chelsea star Joe Cole has showered praise on Mohammed Kudus after the summer signing netted his maiden goal for the club in their 3-1 Europa League triumph over Backa Topola.
Kudus, who recently made a £38 million move from Dutch giants Ajax, earned his first start for the Hammers. The Ghanaian international played a crucial role in West Ham’s comeback after Petar Stanic gave the Serbian visitors a surprising lead.
Kudus pressured the opposition at the back post, leading to Nemanja Petrovic turning Said Benrahma’s cross into his own net in the 66th minute. Just four minutes later, Kudus completed the turnaround with a headed goal from a James Ward-Prowse corner.
Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his admiration for Kudus’s performance and anticipates that the forward will become a valuable asset for David Moyes’ West Ham squad.
“He [Kudus] looked like he was happy and settled,” Cole remarked. “He is another weapon for David Moyes. I look at this team and I see goals everywhere; it was a great night for West Ham.”
Kudus’s inaugural goal for West Ham takes his tally to five goals in six games this season, following his five goals for Ajax before joining the London Stadium.
The 23-year-old has showcased his talent in European competitions, scoring nine goals in 18 games across the Champions League and Europa League to date.
Kudus will now be aiming for his first Premier League start when West Ham faces Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.