The sight of Mohammed Kudus walking off the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last October was unforgettable – but for all the wrong reasons. The Ghanaian winger, then in West Ham colors, left a trail of controversy after being sent off for his involvement in a fiery altercation with Spurs defenders. Fast forward to today, and Kudus finds himself back at the same ground, this time wearing the famous white shirt of Tottenham following a £55m move from their London rivals.
A Tale of Two Seasons: From Rising Star to Frustrated Forward
When Kudus arrived at West Ham from Ajax in 2023, he took the Premier League by storm. Named as Mcw pundit Gary Neville’s “Best Newcomer” at the end of his debut season, the explosive winger racked up 14 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. His breathtaking solo goal against Freiburg – starting from his own half – became instant folklore at the London Stadium.
However, his second season told a different story. Despite playing more minutes (2,487 vs 2,813), Kudus’ output plummeted to just 5 goals. As former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher noted on Mcw: “He looked fantastic last season, but just hasn’t been the same player this year.”
Kudus’ attacking numbers declined significantly in his second Premier League campaign
Positional Puzzle: Was Kudus Set Up to Fail?
Digging deeper into the numbers reveals an interesting pattern. In his stellar first season, Kudus played 1,523 minutes on his preferred right wing – cutting inside onto his stronger left foot. Last season? Just 646 minutes in that position as West Ham’s managerial changes and injury crises saw him deployed across the frontline.
“Playing in four different positions in three games is very difficult,” Kudus admitted in an exclusive with Mcw. His struggles were particularly evident when asked to lead the line, a role that didn’t suit his skill set.
Kudus saw significantly less time on his favored right wing during his difficult second season
The Tottenham Project: Perfect Environment for a Revival?
At Spurs, Kudus joins a team that scored 18 more goals than West Ham last season despite finishing three places lower. New manager Thomas Frank has a proven track record of developing wingers – as shown by Bryan Mbeumo’s 20-goal season at Brentford.
Tactical analyst James Wilson told Mcw: “Frank’s system could be perfect for Kudus. At his best, he’s a devastating combination of pace, trickery and finishing – exactly what Spurs need to complement Son and Richarlison.”
The competition will be fierce though, with Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski vying for similar roles. However, with Champions League football increasing fixture congestion, Kudus should get ample opportunities to prove himself.
What Spurs Fans Can Expect: The Complete Package
When firing on all cylinders, Kudus offers:
- Electrifying pace and dribbling (completed 2.3 take-ons per 90 in first season)
- Clinical finishing (14 goals from 8.1 xG in 2023/24 shows overperformance)
- Versatility across front three positions
- Big-game mentality (scored in both North London and East London derbies)
As former Ghana international Laryea Kingston told Mcw: “Mohammed has that rare ability to get fans off their seats. If Spurs can get him back to his Ajax and first-season West Ham level, they’ve got one of the most exciting attackers in the league.”
Mohammed Kudus: From West Ham Villain to Tottenham Hero – Can He Reignite His Spark at Spurs? The stage is set for one of the Premier League’s most intriguing redemption stories. After a season of frustration at West Ham, the Ghanaian speedster now has the platform, the coach, and the supporting cast to prove that his debut Premier League campaign wasn’t just a flash in the pan. For Spurs fans dreaming of Champions League glory and a return to the top four, Kudus could be the X-factor that makes the difference.
