Jamie Carragher has slammed a West Ham player he feels is partly to blame for the club’s awful season but says he still deserves a move to a better club.
West Ham played their final home game of the season and gave it a fitting end – by losing 2-1 to Nottingham Forest.
It has been 18 months to forget in east London.
The malaise kicked in under David Moyes from January 2024 and Graham Potter has failed to stop the rot since taking over West Ham in January.
In 18 games at the Hammers helm, Potter has won just four.
West Ham have given the Englishman grace given he took over mid-season.
Potter squad ‘better than his results’ at West Ham
But Potter will have to turn things around over the summer and start well or the pressure will pile on quickly.
One of the 49-year-old’s big problems is that many fans, pundits and journalists feel he should be doing much better with the squad at his disposal after the Irons spent £155m to add to some already impressive talents last summer.
Jarrod Bowen is head and shoulders West Ham’s best and most consistent player.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been the Hammer of the Year.
But it could be argued Mohammed Kudus is the most naturally gifted player at the club.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
After a stunning debut season in which he contributed 20 goals and assists, Kudus was attracting admiring glances from the likes of Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool.
The Ghanaian’s form has dropped off a cliff this season, though.
And it has come at the worst possible time for West Ham – who need to sell players to raise funds for Potter’s big rebuild due to PSR.
Kudus has an £85m release clause in his Hammers contract.
But that was put in at the player’s request when he joined so that West Ham couldn’t hold him against his will if a top club came in and were willing to pay big money for him.
With West Ham desperate for cash and Bowen not for sale, Kudus is the club’s most saleable asset.
Carragher says Kudus at fault for awful season but deserves better club
He’s also become the most divisive with supporters feeling the faded star boy only turns up for games against the so-called big sides in order to peacock for a move.
They may have a point given Kudus’ only notable performances of late have come away at Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United.
Kudus dropped a 3/10 performance in West Ham’s defeat to Forest.
Now Jamie Carragher says the anonymous West Ham star is at fault for the club’s awful season but deserves a move to a better club.
Carragher was on co-commentary for West Ham’s defeat to Forest.
During the game he noted Kudus had been ‘missing’ and ‘anonymous’.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Carragher: Kudus’ poor form a reason for West Ham struggles
Kudus was hooked by Potter with West Ham chasing the game as his time playing in front of the London Stadium crowd ended with a whimper.
Carragher believes this may be a rare situation where a move actually works out better for all parties.
Because while he feels Kudus is partly to blame for West Ham’s struggles this season, he believes playing for a team competing at the top end of the league – with better players – will see the 24-year-old back to his explosive best.
“There’s no doubt he’s (Kudus) a quality player who should be playing for a team, I would say, that is closer to the top of the table than near the bottom right now,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“But probably one of the reasons why West Ham are where they are this season is because he hasn’t shown the form that he showed last season.
Kudus West Ham exit best for all parties says Carragher
“Last season he looked fantastic (but) he just hasn’t looked the same player this season.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a change there in some way because West Ham need the money but other clubs might think this is just an off season for him and last season was the real Kudus.
“And if they can get that player then maybe it’s a good signing. So it might be the type of situation where it maybe works for (all parties).”
Carragher is calling this spot on.
West Ham’s poor recruitment hasn’t helped the situation and neither has the player’s attitude.
After a furious bust-up with Julen Lopetegui, Kudus was then handed a five-game ban for losing his head in a 4-1 defeat at Spurs.
He just hasn’t looked happy at the club and Carragher is right – a move is probably best for him and West Ham now.
The Hammers will just have to hope they can get as much as possible for him to help fund Potter’s overhaul.