Mohammed Kudus exclusive: Versatile forward ready to step up for Graham Potter as West Ham’s striker | Football News

You sometimes hear versatility described as both a strength and a weakness in football, but Mohammed Kudus is seeing his ability to play in numerous positions as a positive as he gets used to life under Graham Potter at West Ham.

It’s been a turbulent time for West Ham.

There’s been a change in the dugout with Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui and injuries to forwards Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have left Danny Ings’ as the Hammers’ only fit striker.

It’s led to Kudus playing four positions, including as a central striker, already in just three matches under Potter, and while he acknowledges it’s not an ideal situation, he’s happy to help the team in any way he can as the hammers prepare to take on Aston Villa on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.

“In three games I have played four different positions, which is a plus, but it is also very difficult,” Kudus told Sky Sports.

“When you play in a certain position for a long period of time, it becomes natural. The movements are natural. But being versatile is good for the coach, especially with the injuries. I can play a number of positions and I don’t mind that and I don’t mind doing a job for the team to get the three points.

“I’m still learning in other roles and I’m trying to help the team,” he added.

“With the new manager, it’s about what is expected of me depending on the position I am playing. It’s very different playing wide to playing as a second striker or even as the striker.

“I need to be able to switch my mind quickly to be able to adapt whatever position I’m in. it’s something I need to work on and improve on.”

New Hammers boss Potter explained he may have to get ‘creative’ because of the injuries to forward and Kudus, who has experience of leading the line with former club Ajax and West Ham, was used as a central striker in the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

West Ham have also been very public in their bid to recruit a new forward in this window with the club having a bid rejected by Sunday’s opponents Aston Villa for striker Jhon Duran.

However, while the 24-year-old admits he still has plenty to learn as a striker, it’s a role he’s ready to embrace and a challenge he is relishing.

“I need to be stronger,” Kudus said on the challenges of playing as a centre-forward.

“I’m playing against big, strong central defenders. I have to be strong to protect the ball. Obviously, they are bigger than me, but I definitely can do a job there for the team.

I just have to learn more movements and learn how I can help the team better.

“But I am a strong player too. It’s definitely a challenge but I am good for it and a challenge I relish.”

‘Players to adapt after manager change’

Kudus has become a key figure at West Ham since his £38m move from Ajax in the summer of 2023.

He hit the ground running in east London last season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions as West Ham secured a top-half finish in the league and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

Kudus hasn’t quite hit the same heights this season, scoring just three times in the league for the Hammers. West Ham haven’t quite hit the same heights this season, which led to the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui after just 20 games in charge in the league.

Potter is the new man at the helm for West Ham and while Kudus insists the change of manager has had its challenges, believes he and his team-mates have to step up to get their season back on track.

He said: “It’s been difficult [changing managers].

“There’s a tactical element because every manager has their way of thinking. There’s a specific role manager A expects from you and then manager B expects another way.

“The quickness of how fast you have to change that in your head and how quickly you have to adapt to a new way of playing, it’s difficult. But as professionals, that is our job.

“We can’t control who the club bring in as manager but we can control our effort, our energy and our passion.

“Whoever is the manager, that can change, but you can always run a lot, track back, push and fight. That part of the game always stays the same regardless of who the manager is.

“But the tactical part of the game and the way of playing, it has an impact. As a group of players we have to change quickly and adapt to the way the new coach wants to play.”

“We are all leaders on the pitch, irrespective of who has the captain’s armband,” he added. “We all have a role to play, even the guys who are on the bench.

“It’s about supporting your team-mates and getting them up and ready for the game because in some games it has been the bench that has changed the game.

“It’s about the whole squad. It’s about taking responsibility, doing your job and making sure the guy next to you is doing his. We need everyone because we all have an important role to play.”

‘Potter has lifted energy’

A win over Fulham in the league was sandwiched between an FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa and last weekend’s disappointing defeat at home to Crystal Palace as Potter was quickly thrust into the action.

Three games in a week left little time for the new coach to get his methods across to the players on the training pitch but Kudus has seen the energy lift amongst the West Ham squad since Potter’s arrival.

“He demands a lot,” Kudus said.

“He’s only been here a short period of time but we can feel the energy as players.

“For me, it was the same with the old manager, they expect a lot, and the challenging part is replicating what he wants me to do in his system. I know we don’t have time, but this stuff does take time. The fans expect points straight away and we have to get wins, but settling into a new way of playing takes time.”

Kudus backing West ham for ‘statement’ win at Villa

It’s time they’ve had this week with no midweek games as they prepare to face Aston Villa at Villa Park, live on Sky Sports on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm).

The Hammers have won just seven games in the Premier League so far this season, losing 10 games. However, with such a congested league table, a run of wins would see Potter’s side climb the table in time.

Kudus believes there is no better place to start a run of wins than at Villa Park.

“It’s a tough league,” he said. “It takes a lot to get points.

“But it’s also a very tight league. There aren’t big points between a lot of the teams.

“If you can win a few games, you’ll soon move up the league. We are very aware of that and that is why we need to keep going week in, week out. Two or three wins and we would get up the table, that’s why we need to stay focussed and keep going.

“It is tough with the games coming thick and fast, but we have the whole week to prepare for Aston Villa. We can really soak in what the manager expects. We’ve had a good run of training sessions to take in everything and how he wants us to play.

“It’s a big game and an opportunity for us to make a statement.”

Watch Aston Villa vs West Ham live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.