Mohammed Kudus has struggled to make an impact in his second season at West Ham United, despite featuring in all six Premier League games so far.
Under the guidance of new manager Julen Lopetegui, the Ghanaian midfielder has been unable to match the form that made him a standout player last season.
Kudus impressed with 14 goals and six assists in his debut campaign, earning him recognition at the London Olympic Stadium.
However, his recent performance against Brentford highlighted his current struggles. Kudus was substituted at halftime, and his visible frustration as he headed to the bench hinted at possible tension with Lopetegui.
Reports from England suggest the former Ajax star is gradually falling out of favor with the manager. Lopetegui allegedly questioned Kudus’ team ethic and confirmed a verbal exchange between the two. When asked about the substitution, Lopetegui said, “It was for tactical reasons. The second half we worked as a team, and for me this is a very important step. I highlighted the behavior in the second half because I think we put on the pitch what we needed.”
With West Ham enduring a tough start to the season, Lopetegui is seeking consistency and results. This may result in reduced playing time for Kudus as the coach works to stabilize the team.
