Hammer of the Year? It might not be who you think

The race for West Ham’s prestigious “Hammer of the Year” award is heating up, and while fans often have their favourite’s, official statistics have thrown a curveball – Mohammed Kudus is leading the pack according to data.

For 66 years, West Ham United’s Player of the Year award has recognised exceptional talent. Iconic names like Bobby Moore and Declan Rice are etched onto the trophy, and the 2024 recipient is set to join their ranks.

With West Ham still vying for European glory, the competition for this year’s award is particularly intense.

Jarrod Bowen’s impressive goal tally (15) and Lucas Paqueta’s midfield mastery have made them popular choices among fans.

However, data from WhoScored, tells a different story. Their in-depth analysis, considering both attacking and defensive contributions, positions Mohammed Kudus as the standout performer.

WhoScored’s analysis ranks Kudus as West Ham’s highest-rated player in both the Premier League and Europa League. This is based on detailed performance data encompassing all aspects of his game.

The numbers speak for themselves. Kudus boasts an average match rating of 7.21 in the Premier League and a stellar 7.56 in the Europa League. He has also directly contributed to goals with 13 goals and 4 assists in just 30 starts across all competitions.

Kudis’s performance surpasses that of both Bowen (averaging 7.11 in the league and 7.28 in Europe) and Paqueta (averaging 7.19).

Perhaps the most compelling evidence is Kudus’s remarkable consistency in earning Man of the Match honors. He has achieved this a staggering eight times in his 30 starts – six times in the league and twice in the Europa League. This dwarfs Bowen’s two Man of the Match awards.

These statistics undeniably highlight Kudus’s elite-level talent and his significant value to West Ham’s success.