Hammers talisman | “doesn’t need the armband right now’ shock

2025 can only be a better year for Mohammed Kudus. Given the armband last autumn for his country in the absence of Thomas Partey, Kudus tried to take on most of Africa on his own. Ghana failed to qualify for AFCON 25 and both Kudus and the whole team were the subject of vilification on social media as a result.

No doubt this affected Kudus’ domestic form. Played out of position, life became challenging at West Ham with very public results and Kudus’ form nosedived.

It is just starting to come back under Graham Potter’s coaching.  In something of a shock, the former Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari has suggested Kudus needs to be sheltered from the pressure of having the captains armband right now. He has at the same time sent reassuring words both for Kudus and for his supporters, suggesting that we haven’t seen anything yet from the star. Reported in footboom Kudus is urged to be patient:

..“Don’t just rush him. He doesn’t even need the armband right now — let him just enjoy his football,” Muntari emphasized.

He further remarked that the 23-year-old midfielder is only beginning to explore his immense potential, stating, “Kudus hasn’t fully realised his potential yet. What we are seeing are just flashes of how great he can be. That guy is just amazing.”

Importantly for his Hammers’ career, his former colleague demands that the Ghana Football Association  “avoid placing undue pressure on the young player, which could potentially hinder his growth.” 

Kudus just needs to fall back in love with his football, instead of feeling he has to carry the whole team on his shoulders. There was a time at West Ham, as with Ghana, when he felt he had to do it all himself.

With the return of Bowen and the resurgence of Paquetá’s form, along with the loan signing of Ferguson, Kudus can now concentrate on being a team player again, one component part of Potter’s machine.