Mohammed Kudus — DEEP DIVE.
Analysing what’s made the Ghanaian one of the Premier League’s most devastating forces this season.
🧵/ a thread.
Analysing what’s made the Ghanaian one of the Premier League’s most devastating forces this season.
🧵/ a thread.
Signed by West Ham from Ajax in the summer for around £38 million, after a small bedding-in period Kudus has adapted seamlessly to the Premier League, becoming integral for David Moyes's side and contributing 9 goals and 1 assist in all competitions so far this season.
David Moyes has primarily utilised him as a right-winger + primary outlet/ball-carrier in transition, with the freedom to drift inside and attack space in behind, balancing Jarrod Bowen's tendencies to drop deep and Lucas Paqueta's wide playmaking in the front 3.
In this thread, I'll be profiling him using his time in England so far and explaining what makes him such a threat to opposition defences.
Firstly: his frame.
Kudus possesses a stocky frame and low centre of gravity, allowing him to hold off contact easily while shielding the ball/dribbling.
He utilises his frame well while duelling, placing himself between the ball and his opponent.
Kudus possesses a stocky frame and low centre of gravity, allowing him to hold off contact easily while shielding the ball/dribbling.
He utilises his frame well while duelling, placing himself between the ball and his opponent.
His acceleration off a standing start is incredible, he can just eat up open space while carrying the ball.
Explosiveness + his core/upper body strength —> creates + maintains separation from defenders easily and exploits space.
Explosiveness + his core/upper body strength —> creates + maintains separation from defenders easily and exploits space.
In wide 1v1 dribbling situations, Kudus tends to be a little one-dimensional in that he's always looking to cut onto his stronger left foot and shoot/cross.
Ideally, he works on his weaker right foot and becomes a true two-way threat in his dribbling to continue his development.
Ideally, he works on his weaker right foot and becomes a true two-way threat in his dribbling to continue his development.
His agility and balance are exceptional too, able to weave through gaps and escape pressure so easily.
This + his exceptional close control —> tight space dominator, just absurdly good at manipulating the ball with opponents around him.
This + his exceptional close control —> tight space dominator, just absurdly good at manipulating the ball with opponents around him.
His off-ball movement is very intelligent: he can attack space in behind, occupy pockets between the lines or isolate his fullback out wide.
His unique skillset allows him to excel in any of these situations - he's dangerous from pretty much anywhere.
His unique skillset allows him to excel in any of these situations - he's dangerous from pretty much anywhere.
Arguably his biggest strength is his ball-carrying in transition:
Athleticism + agility + running power + vertical mentality —> an elite progressive outlet and transition dominator,
an absolutely perfect fit for Moyes' counterattacking style.
Athleticism + agility + running power + vertical mentality —> an elite progressive outlet and transition dominator,
an absolutely perfect fit for Moyes' counterattacking style.
The only thing that might be better than his ball-carrying? His ballstriking.
The amount of power he can generate with so little backlift and at unorthodox angles is incredible,
that alone makes him one of the most potent attacking threats around.
The amount of power he can generate with so little backlift and at unorthodox angles is incredible,
that alone makes him one of the most potent attacking threats around.
I wouldn't regard him as a playmaker as he's not a very creative passer, however he has a lovely inswinging cross on him + the basics of creativity.
Would definitely recommend using him in more of a goalscoring role instead of as a creator though.
Would definitely recommend using him in more of a goalscoring role instead of as a creator though.
Out of possession he's tenacious and hard-working, a willing counterpresser and always looking to track back for the team.
As well as this, he's a good block defender already but should work on his positional discipline/controlled aggression to further his development.
As well as this, he's a good block defender already but should work on his positional discipline/controlled aggression to further his development.
https://twitter.com/optajoe/status/1737874070673256651
If there's one thing I'd like for him to work on, it would be his tendency to keep his head down while dribbling.
He's a very intelligent player otherwise but this limits his angles while carrying + his creative range a lot, he'll break into the elite bracket once he fixes this.
He's a very intelligent player otherwise but this limits his angles while carrying + his creative range a lot, he'll break into the elite bracket once he fixes this.
One of Kudus's most useful attributes is his versatility; his range of skills allows him to slot in at RW, 10, CF, SS, RCM and LCM to a high level.
For me, his best role is as a high right 8 occupying central zones (which West Ham do not use at the moment).
For me, his best role is as a high right 8 occupying central zones (which West Ham do not use at the moment).
The reason I think he's best in midfield is that his one-footedness is easier masked over,
while he can still utilise his carrying power and close control dribbling by receiving the ball on the half-turn between the lines and running at the defence at speed.
while he can still utilise his carrying power and close control dribbling by receiving the ball on the half-turn between the lines and running at the defence at speed.
However, David Moyes does not use this role in his system, so his current usage of Kudus is pretty much perfect for his profile and fit in West Ham's system as I explained earlier in the thread.
In short, Kudus is a magical player.
Explosive, efficient + brings so much flair and intensity to the pitch.
One of the best and most entertaining players in the league, it’s a pleasure watching him play for my club. Will be sought-after in the summer.
Explosive, efficient + brings so much flair and intensity to the pitch.
One of the best and most entertaining players in the league, it’s a pleasure watching him play for my club. Will be sought-after in the summer.
Thank you for reading and hopefully you enjoyed this thread.
Likes, RTs and follows are massively appreciated.
Likes, RTs and follows are massively appreciated.
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