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Lopetegui Handed Kudus Get Out of Jail Free Card

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While the news that summer signing Niclas Füllkrug will be absent for this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Ipswich is a setback, it also presents an opportunity for Julen Lopetegui.

The Hammers’ head coach is likely compelled to select Mohammed Kudus in his starting line-up to avoid further controversy. However, it’s difficult to justify placing the Ghanaian on the left side of the West Ham attack, where he has struggled so far this season.

It’s clear that Michail Antonio cannot last longer than an hour in the high-paced Premier League, and thus he should probably serve as an impact substitute. This situation opens up the possibility of playing either Jarrod Bowen or Kudus in the striking role, with the other positioned on the right side of midfield.

This scenario is far from ideal, but West Ham has very few options with Füllkrug expected to be absent until after the international break and the Hammers’ game against Tottenham Hotspur on October 19th.

Lopetegui has shown little inclination to deploy Kudus in an attacking midfield role, despite Lucas Paquetá’s inconsistent form this season.

Recent speculation about a rift between the Spanish head coach and his star winger can only be put to rest if Kudus is selected this weekend.

While I would never call an injury to a key player a silver lining, Füllkrug’s injury has provided Lopetegui with the chance to address two issues at once.

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Hammers Chat video blogger @Gonzobignose

6 comments

  • Dipseadiver says:

    We are paying the price for yet another season without a proper striker… ie those who are fit and not at the very end of their careers .!!
    Goals win games and no good creating all these chances to not have a proper ‘netter’ and keep playing others out of their natural positions . Antonio was amazing a few seasons back but times caught up with him and he needs moving on . Same with Ings and his massive salary 🤷🏽‍♂️

    Everyone’s blowing smoke up Steidtman arse saying how great he is , but his striker option Füllkrig is an older , injury prone forward who looks far too slow for the prem !

  • Neil Down Under says:

    He’s the manager, he doesn’t need a “get out of jail” card when it comes to players.
    No one player is bigger than the team, if Kudus can’t deal with that he should be kept away from the 1st team (and I really don’t believe half the rubbish about huge bust ups).
    As the manager it’s his job to be constructively critical of all his players, with the aim of improving them and the team.
    Kudus is a great prospect, capable of doing insanely crazy things on the pitch, but he’d be daft not to think that the coaching staff can offer him advice to become even better (again, I don’t believe this to be the case).
    The manager isn’t in “jail”, he’s in a process of changing the way the team plays. He’s overhauled the team with 9 new players, and even though it’s not been pretty so far, there have been moments, glimpses of better things to come.
    Hopefully it clicks for them soon, but to suggest the gaffer is held to account by a player? Not even Beckham could do that with Fergie.

  • Jeeps says:

    JLo’s team selection is very unpredictable perhaps he’s trying to confuse the opposition?
    Its certainly worked on the fans and team members.
    Summerville on the left, Kudus in the middle and Bowen down the right to the bye line.
    You need the patience of a saint to get through all these crappy adverts on this site.

  • Jeeps says:

    JLo’s team selection is very unpredictable perhaps he’s trying to confuse the opposition?
    Its certainly worked on the fans and team members.
    Summerville on the left, Kudus in the middle and Bowen down the right to the bye line.
    You need the patience of a saint to get through all these crappy adverts on this site.

  • Taffyhammer says:

    Surely Wee Davey Moyes could pick this team. Then get destroyed for doing so. Get Jarrod out on the left and drop Michail Antonio into number 10 support with everyone else pressing forward whilst remaining quick, responsive and secure. Easy – but unlikely for now.
    COYI

    • Moyes Mum says:

      I think some peoples heads would have exploded if Moyes had done some of the things Lopetegui has done in his tenure so far.

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