The summer transfer window only opened a week ago and, already, the Mohammed Kudus situation is starting to feel like a saga at West Ham United.
Will he leave or won’t he?
And, if Mohammed Kudus does depart the London Stadium, what will be his eventual destination? Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal? Perhaps even Newcastle United or Manchester United.
The Ghana international might have reportedly turned up his nose at clubs in Saudi Arabia but, as a West Ham United spokesman exclusively told Hammers News, three Premier League clubs have made their interest known.
Reports back in May claimed that Liverpool was Kudus’ preferred destination. Reds boss Arne Slot labelled the former Ajax ace ‘outstanding’ following the last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Anfield in the spring.
It is London neighbours Chelsea who appear to have made the most concerted effort at luring Kudus away from the London Stadium, however.
And Edu Rubio, who worked briefly alongside Kudus during his time as an assistant to Julen Lopetegui at West Ham, can certainly envisage the mercurial wideman blossoming into the footballer he has always threatened to become down the road at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Edu Rubio talks up Chelsea switch for West Ham United ace Mohammed Kudus
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rubio suggests that Kudus would represent an upgrade on an underwhelming Jadon Sancho at Enzo Maresca’s newly-crowned Europa Conference League champions.
“Mohammed Kudus can add more attacking threat to Chelsea now that Jadon Sancho is confirmed to go back to Manchester United after the end of his loan spell,” explains Rubio, who also assisted Lopetegui at Wolves and worked with the Chelsea academy over a decade ago.
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“Kudus is a very versatile attacker, like Chelsea duo Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke. He can play down both flanks and come inside into the middle. He fits Blues manager Enzo Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 system as well, as he is the type of winger he likes.
“But he can also add an aggressive high-press style. His approach to close down the man on the ball is exceptional. He is rapid, intense and effective with it.”
Julen Lopetegui’s long-term assistant admits Kudus must improve
Kudus endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign. His goals tally dropped from 14 to a miserly five, with the aforementioned Lopetegui not exactly seeing eye to eye with perhaps the most talented member of this West Ham roster.
Yet, Rubio is confident that – after working on his ‘decision-making’ – Kudus can again become a player capable of reaching double-figures.
“Kudus can also add goals into the Chelsea squad,” adds the one-time Valencia, MK Dons and Crystal Palace coach. “His work rate off the ball is very good too.
“He may need to improve his decision-making when on the ball. At times, a pass-and-go can be more effective than trying to beat your man one-on-one.
“Overall, he can add goals to this Chelsea side, has great work rate off the ball, and can contribute to the winning mentality that the Blues have got back into after their Conference League success.”
Hammers News can confirm that Chelsea offered a host of players to West Ham as part of a deal which would have seen Kudus go in the other direction.
Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay rejected the opportunity to get Jadon Sancho’s ailing career back on the right track, however, with Robert Sanchez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah also featuring in the conversations.