Mohammed Kudus determined to overcome tough season at West Ham

By SABC Sport
10th March 2025

Ghanaian international Mohammed Kudus admits that the current season has been challenging for both him and West Ham United, but he remains determined to work hard and regain his best form.

After finishing as the runner-up in the 2023/24 Hammer of the Year award voting - following an impressive debut campaign in which he scored 14 goals in 45 appearances - Kudus has found it harder to replicate that form this season.

The midfielder has managed just three goals in 25 appearances and also endured a five-game suspension after being sent off against Tottenham Hotspur in October.

"I've been below the standards I've set for myself this season," Kudus told West Ham's official website.

"To be honest, it's been a very difficult season. As a team, we had high expectations, but things haven't gone as planned."

The 24-year-old remains focused on improving and is eager to finish the campaign on a strong note.

"With the standards I've set and what I've shown, I know people expect a lot from me. But I expect even more from myself," he continued.

"I'll keep working hard and pushing myself until the last game of the season. Football is full of ups and downs, but you have to stay true to yourself at all times."

West Ham are set to face Newcastle United on Monday - a team against whom Kudus has fond memories. He scored his first-ever Premier League goal against them in this exact fixture last season and netted again when the two sides met earlier this term.

"I have great memories of scoring my first Premier League goal against Newcastle last season. That goal opened the door for me to score more, so it was a special moment," he added.

"Newcastle are a strong team, and it's always tough to play against them, but that's the nature of the Premier League. Every game is a challenge, and I'm looking forward to this one."