West Ham United manager, Julen Lopetegui has said Mohammed Kudus is not fitting into the team’s dynamic following their early struggles in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Kudus started for the Hammers in their 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.
Bryan Mbeumo scored within the first minute, but Tomáš Souček levelled the game in the second half.
Kudus was substituted at halftime, with Carlos Soler taking his place as West Ham trailed.
In a post-match interview, Lopetegui explained that the decision to substitute Kudus was tactical, emphasizing the team’s improved cohesion after the change.
“It was a tactical decision,” he told the club website. “I was thinking we need that. I was thinking that was better for the team and we needed these kinds of changes. The second half we worked as a team,” Julen Lopetegui said.
Kudus has made eight appearances across all competitions for West Ham this season but has yet to score or provide an assist.