Mohammed Kudus produced the most crosses for West Ham against Fulham last week, which should come as a surprise to nobody given his new role under Julen Lopetegui.
Aside from the Ghanaian, the Hammers only completed two crosses, which were supplied by Emerson and Jarrod Bowen. However, crossing wasn’t the only statistic where Kudus was well ahead, as he attempted and completed significantly more dribbles than the rest of the team put together.
Whilst statistics can often be deceiving, there really can be no misinterpretation of what Kudus is being asked to do this season. The only question is whether the tactic is working or not, and I would suggest that it isn’t.
To put it bluntly, the Hammers’ left-hand side isn’t really functioning. Not only is Kudus’s partnership with Emerson not getting the best out of the left back, but it is abundantly clear it’s not helping the winger either.
West Ham have not scored an abundance of goals this season, and the majority of them, as well as chances created, have come from the right-hand side. Therefore, there may come a time when Julen Lopetegui is forced to tinker with his tactics.
I’m quite certain the plan against Fulham was to cross the ball to both Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek, but it never happened. Lopetegui will have one more throw of the dice when he tries to use summer signing Niclas Füllkrug as a target man, which could happen as soon as today.
However, if we get to the point where we have exhausted all combinations of forward options and things still aren’t working, then perhaps it’ll be time to consider changing the left-hand side of the team.
My suggestion for this game would be to start Lucas Paqueta on the left-hand side but with a licence to roam. This would rekindle his chemistry with his mate Emerson, whilst also moving Kudus into a position where he could threaten Chelsea’s goal with his ferocious shooting.
But if at some point during the game, Kudus crosses the ball onto Fullkrug’s bonce for a Hammers goal, Lopetegui will feel more than vindicated.
That’s why you get your transfers in before pre season friendlies. Duran scored again for Villa, how we taught them a lesson not going the extra £5 million
We bought Summerville specifically for this role and needs to start.
Kudus is our main man, never gives less than 100% and is always a threat if used correctly, which at the moment he isn’t. Whether this means him being more central, Bowen right with Pacqueta floating behind who knows.
Trying to force players into a system hasn’t and doesn’t work.
Where Soler fits into it all is another question.
We now have the players utilising them correctly is another matter.
The defence and CM picks itself essentially, Sr Lopetegui’s job is to make the entirity function.