ExWHUemployee has reported that the tension between West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui and Mohammed Kudus has been resolved.
The 24-year-old forward was substituted at half-time during the 1-1 draw against Brentford at the GTECH Community Stadium on Saturday, 28 September, for tactical reasons, a decision which reportedly left the player unhappy.
Addressing the situation on The West Ham Way (1 October), the well-connected source reassured Hammers fans that the incident had been blown out of proportion.
“The player was unhappy at the time, however, we were trailing and Lopetegui has every right to make changes he feel can help the team – and in the end, we managed to get the equaliser and could have won the match,” said ExWHUemployee.
“There really is nothing more than a player being unhappy in the moment, and we understand things are fine now as we prepare for the important game against Ipswich at the weekend.”
Mohammed Kudus, it appears, is ready to move on from the episode and refocus on West Ham’s upcoming fixtures.
The Ghanaian forward’s frustration is understandable; no top player enjoys being taken off, particularly when they believe they can change the game. Kudus’ reaction reflects his passion and desire to make an impact for the Hammers.
That said, Kudus has struggled to find his rhythm this season, following a stellar debut campaign in the Premier League.
His recent form has raised concerns, particularly as several West Ham stars, including Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen, have also delivered inconsistent performances.
At their best, the Hammers rely on Kudus’ attacking flair and creativity. However, questions remain about how the forward fits into Lopetegui’s tactical setup.
His performances on either flank have yielded mixed results, and it’s clear that the manager is still trying to find the right role for him within the team.
West Ham’s next match, against Ipswich Town on Saturday, 5 October, presents an opportunity for both Lopetegui and Kudus to turn things around.
Ipswich have one of the weakest defences in the division, making them ideal opponents for the Hammers to get back to winning ways.
Anything less than three points this weekend, however, and Lopetegui will face growing pressure from the West Ham faithful. The Spanish manager will be relying on Kudus to rediscover his form and lead the charge for victory at the London Stadium.