After Chelsea handed West Ham United a 5-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Ghana star Mohammed Kudus has been making the headlines for multiple reasons.
The 23-year-old ended up on the losing side but managed to be the Hammers’ best player with impressive statistics including the competition of 13 dribbles, a Premier League record since the 2021/22 season.
The Black Stars attacker is also making news for an end-of-match photo which insinuates him having a conversation with Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
What’s Pochettino telling Kudus?👂🏽 #3Sports pic.twitter.com/FGCbXGqaRw
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) May 5, 2024
Kudus to Chelsea? Who says no? 👀 pic.twitter.com/voRwIUthbi
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) May 5, 2024
The former Ajax man ended the game with frustration as his efforts didn’t reflect the result with West Ham now sitting ninth on the table.
Mohammed Kudus completed 13 take-ons against Chelsea, the most by a player in a single Premier League game in 2023/24.
Most take-ons completed in a PL game since 2016/17:
◎ 16 – Adama Traore vs. Watford (2020)
◎ 15 – Allan Saint-Maximini vs. Sheff Utd (2021)
◎ 14 – Adama… pic.twitter.com/6lIMg7D52O— Squawka (@Squawka) May 5, 2024
However, his perceived chat with the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has fueled reports of his potential departure from West Ham.
🇬🇭 Mohammed Kudus’ 13 dribbles completed against Chelsea is the most recorded by a player in a Premier League game since the start of the 2021/22 season. He also won 21 ground duels against the Blues which was the most by any player on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/ox2YNXiGEb
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) May 5, 2024
He need a better club, his take-ons are just wasting away
— Bisibest (@LawalOlabisi4) May 5, 2024
Very good player. Should consider coming to Chelsea soon
— Ralphwealth (@Ralphwealth_CFC) May 5, 2024
📸 Pochetino wants Mohammed Kudus at Chelsea ? pic.twitter.com/tO89sCTFP6
— Thierry Nyann 🇬🇭 (@nyannthierry) May 5, 2024
His recent record as the player with the most dribbles in a single game this season follows his recent feat as the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to complete 100+ dribbles.
Despite only joining West Ham last summer, Kudus has impressed significantly with several remarkable performances.
He has already surpassed Andre Ayew as the Ghanaian with most goals for the Hammers after beating the Black Stars’ captain’s 12 goals.
Meanwhile, the conversation about his departure isn’t out of place as reports have already indicated the possible transfer of the player.
As reported a few months ago, a former star of West Ham United Frank McAvennie disclosed that there were intentions for the transfer of the player who has become a valuable asset for the London-based club.
Furthermore, according to Football Insider reports, Kudus, alongside teammates Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez, is anticipated to leave during the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, with four more years on his contract by the end of the season, there no rush to force a deal while West Ham look determined to keep their ball juggler.
For Chelsea, there were actively in the picture last summer following the departure of Mason Mount and Kai Haveertz. However, they pulled out of the deal settling on a deadline day transfer for Manchester City’s Cole Palmer.
