Tony Gale says one West Ham player is worth £100m but slams him for sulking

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West Ham somehow salvaged a point in the game at Fulham and one man who knows both clubs well is Tony Gale.

There was excitement around West Ham ahead of the resumption of the Premier League.

The two-week international break had Hammers fans revved up to see more of their nine summer signings in action.

Not only that but to see what new head coach Julen Lopetegui had been cooking up in the concentrated time he’s had to work with his West Ham team.

However, that excitement turned to disappointment when the West Ham team was announced.

Michail Antonio was yet again leading the line much to the frustration of supporters.

Lucas Paqueta was dropped in favour of Tomas Soucek. Not Carlos Soler or Crysencio Summerville – but Soucek.

Lopetegui gets it all wrong with West Ham tactics at Fulham

And Konstantinos Mavropanos retained his place despite calls for star summer capture Jean-Clair Todibo to finally get his first Premier League start.

To cap things off Mohammed Kudus – arguably West Ham’s most gifted player – was once again played off the left – where everyone but Lopetegui seems to think he is nowhere near as impactful.

The first half was horrendous with Antonio and Soucek dreadful. Meanwhile Mavropanos was at fault for Fulham’s goal.

Kudus was also ineffective as the Hammers trailed 1-0 at half-time.

The star boy has done everything but score at the start of this season.

But Tony Gale went from raving about the Ghanaian to criticising him.

Gale says West Ham star Kudus is worth £100m but then slammed him for sulking.

Gale says Kudus is worth £100m but slams him for sulking

Kudus looked like he was in the mood as he went on some trademark mazy runs early on.

Gale, on co-commentary for Premier League Productions, raved about the West Ham ace.

“He’s worth £100m Kudus, I really do think he will be worth over £100m, he’s that good the boy,” Gale said in live coverage.

Fast forward to the second half and Gale had changed his tune.

Kudus was cutting a frustrated figure out on the left and his influence faded. A switch to the right did little to change things as he lost the ball attempting a couple of dribbles.

That prompted criticism from Gale who noted his ‘bad body language’.

“Kudus looks like he’s in a sulk now,” Gale added.

“He’s not been involved and not seen the ball as much as he’d have liked and he looks like he’s sulking that people aren’t passing to him.

“It’s bad body language and he’s lost interest in tracking back and helping out defensively.”

Gale is right about Kudus’ body language in the second half.

There’s no excuse for that of course.

Kudus must follow Bowen example but most Hammers can get is £85m

But it must be frustrating for the Hammers ace. He has made it clear his preferred position is in central attacking midfield. Yet he continues to be played off the left.

Kudus can learn a thing or two from Jarrod Bowen, though.

The West Ham captain was not having his best game either. He refused to give in and kept pushing to the very end which saw him set up Danny Ings’ last gasp equaliser.

However, one thing Gale did get wrong is Kudus’ value. He may be deemed to be worth over £100m.

But as most West Ham fans know by now, he has an £85m release clause in his contract which will be active again next summer.

And a top board source has already hinted he could be sold next summer as a result.

After all if a club meets his clause there will be little West Ham can do to stop him leaving.

West Ham fans just have to enjoy Kudus while they can but he needs to keep pushing, maintain a good attitude and approach and the goals will come.