West Ham's Mohammed Kudus is thriving in his versatility, playing multiple positions due to injuries. He discusses adapting to Graham Potter's tactics and the challenges of being a striker.
You sometimes hear versatility described as both a strength and a weakness in football, but Mohammed Kudus is seeing his ability to play in numerous positions as a positive as he gets used to life under Graham Potter at West Ham . It's been a turbulent time for West Ham . There's been a change in the dugout with Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui and injuries to forwards Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have left Danny Ings' as the Hammers' only fit striker.
It's led to Kudus playing four positions, including as a central striker, already in just three matches under Potter, and while he acknowledges it's not an ideal situation, he's happy to help the team in any way he can as the hammers prepare to take on Aston Villa on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm. Transfer Centre LIVE! | West Ham latestNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺'In three games I have played four different positions, which is a plus, but it is also very difficult,' Kudus told Sky Sports. 'When you play in a certain position for a long period of time, it becomes natural. The movements are natural. But being versatile is good for the coach, especially with the injuries. I can play a number of positions and I don't mind that and I don't mind doing a job for the team to get the three points. 'I'm still learning in other roles and I'm trying to help the team,' he added. 'With the new manager, it's about what is expected of me depending on the position I am playing. It's very different playing wide to playing as a second striker or even as the striker. 'I need to be able to switch my mind quickly to be able to adapt whatever position I'm in. it's something I need to work on and improve on.' New Hammers boss Potter explained he may have to get 'creative' because of the injuries to forward and Kudus, who has experience of leading the line with former club Ajax and West Ham, was used as a central striker in the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend. West Ham have also been very public in their bid to recruit a new forward in this window with the club having a bid rejected by Sunday's opponents Aston Villa for striker Jhon Duran. However, while the 24-year-old admits he still has plenty to learn as a striker, it's a role he's ready to embrace and a challenge he is relishing. 'I need to be stronger,' Kudus said on the challenges of playing as a centre-forward. 'I'm playing against big, strong central defenders. I have to be strong to protect the ball. Obviously, they are bigger than me, but I definitely can do a job there for the team. I just have to learn more movements and learn how I can help the team better. 'But I am a strong player too. It's definitely a challenge but I am good for it and a challenge I relish.' 'Players to adapt after manager change' Kudus has become a key figure at West Ham since his £38m 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-half finish in the league and reached the Europa League quarter-finals. 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, which led to the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui after just 20 games in charge in the league. Potter is the new man at the helm for West Ham and while Kudus insists the change of manager has had its challenges, believes he and his team-mates have to step up to get their season back on track. He said: 'It's been difficult . 'There's a tactical element because every manager has their way of thinking. There's a specific role manager A expects from you and then manager B expects another way. 'The quickness of how fast you have to change that in your head and how quickly you have to adapt to a new way of playing, it's difficult. But as professionals, that is our job. 'We can't control who the club bring in as manager but we can control our effort, our energy and our passion. 'Whoever is the manager, that can change, but you can always run a lot, track back, push and fight. That part of the game always stays the same regardless of who the manager is. 'But the tactical part of the game and the way of playing, 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 pitch, irrespective of who has the captain's armband,' he added. 'We all have a role to play, even the guys who are on the bench. 'It's about supporting your team-mates and getting them up and ready for the game because in some games it has been the bench that has changed the game. 'It's about the whole squad. It's about taking responsibility, doing your job and making sure the guy next to you is doing his. We need everyone because we all have an important role to pla
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