West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui believes that Mohammed Kudus still has room to grow defensively.
The Ghana international has yet to hit his peak form this season, following a standout performance last year. However, Kudus has netted three goals in the current campaign.
After West Ham’s hard-earned 1-0 victory over Southampton on Thursday, Lopetegui emphasized his focus on improving Kudus’ off-the-ball work.
“I believe any attacking player becomes more effective when they focus on their defensive responsibilities,” Lopetegui stated. “When you focus on defense, your attacking performance usually improves because football is about constant focus and teamwork.”
Lopetegui also acknowledged that Kudus’ absence for five matches made it challenging to regain his rhythm in the Premier League.
“We are happy with him, but we believe that this is the right approach,” Lopetegui added. “Kudus must understand that football is a collective game, even though each player has their unique strengths and style. He is helping the team, and when he does that, others around him will perform better.”
Looking ahead, Kudus will aim to continue his strong contributions when West Ham United face Liverpool at the London Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
