Photo Credit - West Ham United Media.
West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus has said that, adapting and playing under new managers can prove a daunting challenge to every player.
The skillful forward joined the English Premier League side in a deal worth £38m from Dutch giant, Ajax in the summer of 2023 becoming a key player for the Hammers.
The Ghanaian international made an immediate impact in his first season, scoring 14 goals across all competitions as the Hammers finished in the top half of the Premier League and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Right to Dream Academy product has however lost form this season, notching just three goals in the league so far for the struggling West Ham. West Ham’s struggles for consistency led to the dismissal of manager Julen Lopetegui after only 20 games in charge with Englishman, Graham Potter taking over.
Mohammed Kudus said: "It's been tough with the change of manager," Kudus told Sky Sports. "Each manager has their own style and expectations. Manager A might ask you to play a certain way, and then Manager B has a different approach. The challenge is adjusting to that quickly, but as professionals, it's our job to do so."
"We can't control who the club appoints as manager, but we can control our effort, energy, and passion. Regardless of the manager, we can always give our all, run hard, track back, and fight for the team. That part of the game stays the same.
"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 to whatever position I'm in. It's something I need to work on and improve on," he added.
Kudus also highlighted the importance of adapting to the tactical changes that come with a new coach.
"The way we play may change, and as players, we must be ready to adapt to the new coach's philosophy."
"We're all leaders on the field, regardless of who wears the captain's armband. Everyone has a role to play, including those on the bench. It’s about supporting your teammates, motivating them, and being ready when called upon sometimes it’s the bench that makes the difference."
"The entire squad plays a crucial role. We must all take responsibility, do our jobs, and ensure that our teammates are doing theirs. We need everyone to contribute, as each of us plays an important part in the team’s success."
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