Initially, Kudus made an immediate impact, showcasing his ability to control the ball and his physical prowess. By the end of the 2023/24 campaign, he had managed an impressive eight goals and six assists in the notoriously tough Premier League. His passing range, which has consistently been above 84.5%, demonstrated his excellence in associative play with his teammates.
However, in the last 12 months, Kudus's performance has significantly declined. In 32 games, he scored only five goals and provided three assists. His shooting accuracy has been a major concern, with a shot conversion rate of just 6.7% being an abomination for a player of his quality. His shooting accuracy of 47.8% is decent but not great.
West Ham's £85 million valuation of Kudus may be a bit high, considering his recent performance. The Hammers are thinking of cashing in on the player, but they will need to see significant improvements from Kudus if they want to get close to their asking price. A move to a big club like Chelsea or Manchester United might be possible if Kudus can prove himself again, but it's uncertain where he would fit in at these clubs.
It's clear that Kudus has reached a career crossroads. He's still young enough to become a player of distinction, but he needs to improve his numbers, whether it's at West Ham, Chelsea, or anywhere else. The Ghanaian will need to knuckle down and prove himself again if he wants to secure a move to a bigger club.
West Ham's chairman, David Sullivan, has been approached by Chelsea with a offer of a pick of players in exchange for Kudus, but he's not interested in taking on players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Robert Sanchez, or Trevoh Chalobah. A move to Manchester United in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho was also considered, but negotiations failed due to concerns about where Kudus would fit in Graham Potter's system.
Ultimately, Kudus's future at West Ham is uncertain, and it's unclear whether he will be able to secure a move to a bigger club. However, one thing is certain - he needs to improve his performance and prove himself again if he wants to achieve his goals.
West Ham's goalkeeping situation is stable, and they seem happy with their current setup. The Hammers are not willing to take on players who are surplus to requirements at Chelsea, and it's unclear where Kudus would fit in at Chelsea, given their already strong attacking midfielders.
It's better for everyone involved if Kudus can prove himself again and then be sold to the highest bidder in January. This would allow him to wipe the slate clean and begin again, which would be beneficial for both him and the club.
Despite the challenges ahead, Kudus still has the potential to become a player of distinction. He just needs to focus on improving his performance and proving himself again, and then he'll be ready to take on the next challenge in his career.