Mohammed Kudus Exclusive: Versatile forward set to step up for Graham Potter as West Ham striker | Football news

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

It’s been a tumultuous time for West Ham.

There was a change in the dugout with Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui and injuries to strikers Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas FullKrug left Danny Ings ‘as the Hammers only’ lone striker.

It has seen Kudus play four positions, including as a centre-forward, in just three matches under Potter, and while he admits it is not an ideal situation, he will be happy to help the team in any way they can as they prepare to take on Aston Villa on Great Sundaylive on Sky Sports; Start from 16.30.

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

“When you play in a certain position for a long time, it becomes natural. The movements are natural. But being versatile is good for a coach, especially with injuries. I can play many positions and I don’t know. Mind you, I don’t mind doing the work for the team to get three point.

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

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

“I have to be able to switch my mind quickly to be able to adjust to whatever position I’m in. That’s something I have to work on and get better at.”

New Hammers boss Potter explained that he may need to get ‘creative’ due to injuries to progress and Kudus, who has experience leading the line with former club Ajax and West Ham, was used as a centre-forward in last week’s 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace. the weekend.

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

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

“I have to be stronger,” Kudus said of the challenges of playing center.

“I play against big, strong centre-backs. I have to be strong to protect the ball. Obviously they are bigger than me, but I can definitely do a job there for the team.

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

“But I’m also a strong player. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m good for it and a challenge I enjoy.”

‘Players to adapt after change of manager’

Kudus has become a key figure at West Ham since his £38million 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-flight finish and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

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, leading to the sacking of Julen Lopetegui after just 20 games in charge in the league.

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

He said: “It was difficult [changing managers].

“There’s a tactical element because every manager has their own way of thinking. There’s a certain role manager A expects you to play, and then manager B expects another way.

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

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

“Who is the manager, that can change, but you can always run, track, push and tackle. That part of the game always remains the same no matter who the manager is.

“But the tactical part of the game and the way we play 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 field, regardless of who has the captain’s armband,” he added. “We all have a role, even the guys on the bench.

“It’s about supporting your teammates and getting them up and ready to play, because in some games it was the bench that changed the game.

“It’s about the whole team. It’s about taking responsibility, getting the job done and making sure the guy next to you is working. We need everybody because we all have an important role to play.”

‘Potter raised the energy’

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

Three games in a week left little time for the new manager to transfer his methods to the players in training, but Kudus has seen a lift in energy among the West Ham squad since Potter’s arrival.

“It requires a lot,” Kudus said.

“He was only here for a short 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 these things take time. The fans expect points immediately and we have to get wins, but getting a new way of playing takes time.”

Kudus backs West Ham for a ‘Statement’ win at Villa

It’s the time they’ve had this week without any midweek fixtures as they prepare to face Aston Villa at Villa Park, live on Sky Sports on Sunday (4.30pm kick-off).

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

Kudus believes there is no better place to start winning 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 teams.

“If you can win a few games, you will soon move the league. We are very aware of that and that is why we have to keep going week in week out. Two or three wins and we would be up the table. That is why we have to stay focused and keep going.

“It is difficult with thick and fast games, but we have prepared for Aston Villa all week. We can really absorb what the manager expects. We had a good series of training sessions that will be taken over in everything and how he wants us to play.

“It’s a big game and a chance to make a statement.”

Watch Aston Villa vs West Ham live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday; Start from 16.30.