Sefa writes: Kudus on verge of breakout against Brentford

Mohammed Kudus has endured a challenging start to the 2024-25 season, going five Premier League games without scoring for West Ham.

This has sparked concern among both Ghanaians and West Ham supporters.

Kudus has failed to find the back of the net in 11 games for club and country, with his last competitive strike coming on the final day of the 2023-24 season – scoring an overhead-kick against Manchester City.

Despite scoring for the Hanmers in pre-season against Wolves, the Ghanaian has found it difficult to adapt to life under new boss Julen Lopetegui.

However, the 24-year-old, hasn’t been the only one trying to adapt under the new regime, as the entire West Ham unit has struggled to string together a solid run of results.

West Ham have managed just four points from their first five league games, which is six fewer than at the same stage last season. They’ve also suffered three defeats already, compared to only one at this point in the previous campaign.

The managerial tweak from David Moyes, a pragmatic coach, to Julen Lopetegui sat well with West Ham fans, at least until the season began to pan out. Lopetegui was expected to bring on board an attacking brand of football which suits West Ham and their attacking players, but has often relied on Moyes’ old methodologies, with a lack of expansiveness.

The Spanish manager, together with his summer recruits, including Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Füllkrug, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Guido Rodrigues, Mohamadou Kanté, Wes Foderingham, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler, have failed to set the league alight.

Skipper Jarrod Bowen, scored 16 league goals last season but he hs failed to live up to the billing with Mohammed Kudus, who bagged half of Bowen’s (8) tally and Tomáš Sou?ek also struggling.

Bowen has already hit the ground running in the league this term, scoring away at Palace in a routine 2-0 victory, while Kudus is yet to find the net.

However, with a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium on the cards for the Hammers on Saturday, the narrative is set to change.

Although having Michail Antonio (34), Danny Ings (32) and last season’s Champions league finalist Niclas Füllkrug (31) as their focal points, the Hammers’ attack lacks the needed sharpeness and zip, with Summerville showcasing a glimpse of unreal pace in flashes against Chelsea last weekend.

What do the numbers say about Kudus?

Kudus’ numbers helps paint a vivid picture of how close the Ghanaian is and why his upturn in form is inevitable.

The 24-year-old has come close to opening his goal-scoring account on several occasions, rattling a post against Manchester City on matchday three and seeing a belated offside flag just as he was wheeling away to celebrate pulling a goal back against Chelsea.

Such has been the Ghanaian’s ever-growing presence in the league, as he persistently probes for his season opener.

And against Brentford, an opposition he knows way too well, with a well-taken strike against them last season in the league – Kudus is set to come into his own. Brentford became the second side Kudus struck against, after bagging his first league goal against Newcastle and is most likely to get his first of the season against the Bees.

In the past two seasons, the former Ajax player has followed a similar pattern—netting his first league goal of the 2022-23 campaign for Ajax against SC Cambuur after going scoreless in his opening four matches.

Likewise, the Black Stars attacker netted his maiden Premier League goal in the 2023-24 season after failing to score in his first four outings, making amends in his fifth game against Newcastle, just as he had done a season prior at Ajax.

Despite enduring an 11-game goal drought for both club and country, Mohammed Kudus has remained impressive, consistently weaving through challenges and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

After coming close to breaking his dry spell with a disallowed goal against Chelsea, and hitting the post against City,  all signs pointing to his elusive goal being just around the corner.

With a familiar opponent ahead, one he already punished in the league last season, it’s safe to say Kudus is primed to sting the Bees.

By Andrews Sefa Bamfo

The post Sefa writes: Kudus on verge of breakout against Brentford first appeared on 3News.

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