Like many others, I have been slightly concerned with West Ham’s deployment of Mohammed Kudus on the left of midfield at the start of this season. Granted, it’s early days under the stewardship of new Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui, but it’s clear from the opening few games that the winger’s influence has diminished compared to last season.
In my opinion, this is largely due to the Ghanaian’s inability to threaten the opposition goal with his ferocious left-footed shots, as he can when playing on the right-hand side or centrally.
West Ham, of course, are blessed with quality on the right wing, where captain Jarrod Bowen has forged his reputation. Last season, under David Moyes, Bowen was frequently used as striker cover, allowing Kudus to play in his favoured position on the right wing.
Kudus would benefit from a Bowen move
However, under West Ham’s new head coach, Michail Antonio has been fit for every game, and the club has spent over £25 million on German international striker Niclas Füllkrug.
With Moyes’ emergency tactic no longer needed, Bowen has started games on the right wing for the Irons, forcing Kudus into his least effective position.
There have been signs that Lopetegui is not completely satisfied with the situation, as he has tweaked tactics late in games by moving Kudus to more threatening areas of the pitch.
Carsley show’s J-Lo the way
Therefore, I wonder if England manager Lee Carsley’s decision to use Bowen as Harry Kane’s striker understudy will give Lopetegui further evidence to consider.
Whilst we can all be guilty of thinking we know a player’s best position, there must be a reason why multiple managers are choosing to deploy Bowen centrally.
Bowen has the skill, dexterity, work rate, and clinical finishing that make him perfectly suited to the striker role. The question is whether he is the best option to play as striker for West Ham, and if the answer is yes, then it’s something that needs to be implemented.
Granted, there will be difficult discussions to be had, and I imagine such a move would not sit well with Füllkrug. However, as Simon described in his earlier article, a front four of Summerville, Paquetá, Kudus, and Bowen would be a mouth-watering prospect.
While Kudus himself has said he thinks his best position is in the middle so why not play him there in attacking midfield. Summerville to the left of him, Bowen to the right. Paquetta in the position he plays for Brazil just behind the four attackers.
Imagine having a settled defence that is always hard to score against.
In front of them, two solid DM’s that have the ability to set up and play out of defence.
Now imagine (and its dream time stuff) attacking midfielders, wingers, and 2 or 3 forwards that can come on, swap positions, play several different ways.
We have at our disposal, Kudus, Bowen, Paquetta, Somerville, Antonio, Ings, Füllkrug, Guilherme.
Imagine having cover for almost every one of those positions.
Imagine our most promising Academy players, out on loan but actually getting real game time and experience, becoming better. Hopefully, those that excel, making their way into the managers plans for following seasons.
Now imagine that all this has happened in the last few months…
I’d say no need to imagine, but marvel instead.
Time will tell. No judgement should be passed until after the end of the season, with what has been a fairly major upheaval of how West Ham operate.
But I think by Christmas we’ll know how it’s all going.
Exciting times.
Great comment mate!
Good comment, Neil, but I’m still trying to imagine the first sentence.
😆