Julen Lopetegui full of praise for committed Mohammed Kudus

The Ghanaian frontman has three goals and two assists in 14 games in all competitions for the Hammers this term.

He netted his side's equaliser after 58 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday after Mats Wieffer's 51st minute opener.

The result left West Ham in 14th place on the league standings with five wins from their opening 17 games.

After the game, Lopetegui said on Ghanasoccernet: "I'm not only happy with his goal, I'm happy with his commitment.

"He's improving a lot in his defensive commitment."

Kudus still has some way to go to reach his 14 goals from last season, but the Hammers boss added: "The only way to achieve the level that he can achieve, and we talked a lot with him about this, is to be focused on the hard work for the team. To become a big and strong winger you have to do this â- and he's trying."

West Ham are next in action away to Southampton on Thursday 26 December.

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