If Julen Lopetegui is going to be successful at West Ham there is no doubt he will need to get the best out of Mohammed Kudus.
Jarrod Bowen may be West Ham’s talisman.
Lucas Paqueta may arguably be the most gifted on the ball.
But there is little debate that Mohammed Kudus is the best footballer at West Ham United.
Julen Lopetegui said himself when he first took charge that Kudus was one player he was really looking forward to working with in east London.
Fast forward a few months and Lopetegui and Kudus have had a blazing row at Brentford which is sparking fervent debate in Hammers circles.
West Ham were poor again in the first half in west London. But Kudus was one of the team’s better players as he looked to try and make things happen by driving at the Brentford defence.
When he didn’t come back out for the second half it was initially assumed the star boy had picked up an injury.
‘Blazing row’ between West Ham boss and star makes big news
But it emerged the was hauled off at half-time, a move Lopetegui confirmed was a ‘tactical decision’.
The under pressure West Ham boss also suggested the move benefitted the team in the second half.
Tony Cascarino says there is unrest between the West Ham boss and his star names.
It has since been claimed that Kudus and Lopetegui had a blazing row in the dressing room at half-time.
The Ghanaian ‘had to be restrained by teammates’ after taking offence to Lopetegui singling him out for criticism.
Kudus was also seen kicking a chair as he took his place on the bench for the second half.
Many West Ham fans have been critical of the manager over the incident. They have suggested the manager is to blame for Kudus’ frustrating form by playing him out of position on the left side.
There are also concerns that Lopetegui will make Kudus want to leave. Especially as he has a release clause in his contract active again next summer.
Now there have been two major updates on the situation.
READ MORE: Two amazing pieces of good news emerge from West Ham in one day
Crook and board source make major new claims about bust-up
Alex Crook and a top board source have made major new claims about the bust-up between West Ham boss Lopetegui and star player Kudus.
Sean Whetstone took to social media to share an update from his senior source inside West Ham.
The club insist the altercation has been blown out of proportion. And that the pair have already put the ‘heat of the moment’ incident behind them.
“Club sources insist the ‘bust up’ between Kudus and Lopetegui at Brentford has been exaggerated, explaining both men are very passionate about improving things at the club and quickly resolved their differences amicably on Monday,” Whetstone said on X.
“The incident was first mentioned by Tony Gale during commentary of the West Ham v Brentford game followed by a cryptic tweet by KUMB revealing rumours of a bust-up at half-time.
“Whatever the two said to each other in the heat of the moment it appears they have both put it behind them.”
Lopetegui ‘impressed’ by angry Kudus reaction
Journalist Crook went one further on talkSPORT.
He also claims the incident – as you would expect – is being played down by the club.
But Crook also revealed Lopetegui was actually impressed by Kudus’ angry reaction.
“West Ham sources have played down a dressing room altercation between manager Julen Lopetegui and winger Mohammed Kudus…” Crook said.
“But the Spaniard, who has won only one of his first six Premier League games in charge, is understood to have been encouraged that the Ghanaian’s passionate reaction showed he cared.
“West Ham were trailing 1-0 when Kudus was hooked and went on to rescue a much-needed point after their underwhelming start to the season.”
All eyes now will be on three things.
Firstly what Lopetegui says about the incident when he faces the press ahead of the game against Ipswich.
Secondly whether Kudus is in the starting XI for that must-win game on Saturday.
And, if he is, whether West Ham see a big reaction from their star attacker.
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