West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus has hinted at defensive issues within the team following their Europa League defeat to Freiburg, inadvertently pointing towards the struggles of club captain Kurt Zouma. Kudus, who has been in sensational form for the Hammers this season, expressed his belief that the team could do better defensively.
While Kudus did not explicitly name anyone, the criticism seems to be directed at Zouma, who has faced scrutiny for his performances this season. Zouma, appointed as club captain by David Moyes at the start of the season, has struggled with injuries and seen a dip in form, raising questions about his suitability for a leadership role.
“They scored a late goal to win it, I think we can do better defensively.”
The Ghanaian forward’s comments suggest that poor defending played a role in the team’s defeat against Freiburg, with Zouma’s performance under the spotlight. The 29-year-old centre-back has faced criticism for his ball-watching and defensive lapses, particularly in the lead-up to Freiburg’s late-winning goal.
Zouma’s struggles throughout the game and his apparent vulnerability have become a concern for West Ham, as opponents increasingly target him. The performance against Freiburg highlighted the need for defensive improvements, and Kudus’ comments indirectly underscored the challenges posed by Zouma’s form.
While Kudus did not explicitly criticize Zouma, the inference from his comments is clear, suggesting that defensive lapses, possibly involving the French centre-back, played a role in the team’s Europa League defeat.
The sentiment among fans and players is growing that Zouma’s performances this season indicate a regression, emphasizing the need for Moyes to consider bolstering the defensive options in the upcoming transfer window.
Kudus’ unintentional criticism of a teammate highlights the team’s collective responsibility to address defensive shortcomings and underscores the growing consensus among fans and players that Zouma may not be performing at the required level. The Europa League defeat has brought these issues to the forefront, prompting discussions about potential defensive reinforcements in the summer to strengthen West Ham’s backline.