West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus was one of two players to be hauled off at half-time during the 1-1 draw against Brentford on Saturday.
Both the Ghanaian and Emerson Palmieri were hooked as head coach Julen Lopetegui looked to turn around a one-goal deficit at the break.
Kudus has found life tough since the new manager‘s arrival and fans on X have been discussing why the forward has struggled to find his best form:
Completely mistreated and now being branded as the problem by lopetegui..
If lopetegui plays him on the right or as a 10 different player altogether.
Kudus deserves better..
Lopetegui is ruining the player.
— E20ZoneTv (@E20WHU) September 29, 2024
I don’t think he’s been at it for a while. No assists when was the last time he scored for us. I don’t think he’s happy and that includes the latter part of last season.
— Rob Rose (@RobRose42) September 29, 2024
Really like him, but I’ve always said if the moneys right then I woudnt be too unhappy
— 𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆 ⚒️ (@George_C0YI) September 29, 2024
Currently not good e enough
— Dominic Vella (@DominicVella) September 29, 2024
Needs to be played on the right or through the middle cannot keep being played on the left
— Nameless ghost (@Nameless_Ghost1) September 29, 2024
Our best player being completely ruined and played out of position. If anyone is turning on him or saying he should be dropped, you should just stop watching football.
— Callum (@Callumfitzer__) September 29, 2024
He's good but needs better output
— LTI®️ (@mufctizzz) September 29, 2024
Kudus’s numbers don’t make for good reading
In six Premier League appearances this campaign, the 24-year-old has yet to score or provide an assist for the Hammers.
Kudus did create Jarrod Bowen’s winner in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth last month after coming on as a substitute but he hasn’t made any other meaningful contributions.
Is the player unsettled at West Ham?
Some have speculated that Kudus may have been angling for a move away from the London Stadium in the summer. An £85m release clause was active during the last transfer window, with Liverpool and Manchester United mentioned as potential suitors.
However, no club made an offer for the Ghanaian international before the end of August. If he is keen on a transfer away from the Irons, though, his performances this season won’t help in that regard.
Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
