Ghanaian media have slammed Mohammed Kudus after the West Ham United star failed to inspire the national team to victory over Sudan.
The Black Stars succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against 120th-ranked FIFA side Sudan in the AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday (15 October
Wearing the captain’s armband, Kudus played the full 90 minutes but was unable to prevent a devastating loss that has now jeopardised the team’s AFCON qualification.
3News did not hold back with their criticism of the 24-year-old as they rated him 5/10 and wrote: “The captain has been a shell of himself since the 2023 AFCON. Kudus’ shot and pass selections were not the best. His run of games without scoring for the Black Stars have increased to seven and will face even more pressure.”
Pulse acknowledged Kudus’ efforts but gave him a score of 4/10 and wrote: “The captain of the side, Mohammed Kudus, tried to lead by example by creating magic from the first whistle but that wasn’t enough to inspire the team.”
Ghana Soccer Net wrote along similar lines: “The 23-year-old was hoping to steer the team to victories but failed to inspire the side
3News journalist Owuraku Ampofo, meanwhile, labelled the whole team as “embarrassing” via X and shared an image in which Kudus was rated 6.1.
Woes continue for West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus
There are no doubts about Kudus’ abilities and he remains both one of the best players in the Hammers and Ghana squads.
However, the winger’s form this season is certainly a cause for concern for both club and country.
He went on an eight-game goal drought before netting for the first time this season in the Irons’ 4-1 win against Ipswich Town on 5 October.
Similarly, Kudus has not scored in each of his last seven appearances for Ghana, with his last goal being the second of a brace in the 2-2 draw against Egypt in the AFCON in January.
He missed a sitter in the Black Stars’ stalemate against Sudan on Thursday (10 October), although he was still the team’s standout performer.
Julen Lopetegui’s side sit 12th in the league, having won just two of their seven games so far, and Kudus must return to his best as they look to climb up the ladder
He will have the opportunity to set things right when the Irons visit Tottenham on Saturday (19 October).
The Tottenham Hotspur injury/fitness situation remains mysterious ahead of the next fixture, a visit from West Ham United on Saturday. Son Heung-min, Richarlison de Andrade and Wilson Odobert are the team’s only injury concerns, and it remains to be seen but all three could all possibly be in contention for selection next weekend.
We’ll start with Son, who did not go away with South Korea this international break, due to the thigh injury that has forced him to miss three straight games.
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United FYIs
Kick-off: Saturday, October 19, 12:30 pm local, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK
Google Result Probability: West Ham victory 17% Draw 18% Tottenham victory 65%
Son took to Instagram on Sunday, where he posted “Back soon.” That sounds promising, right? Expect him to resume training this week. Richarlison is a bit more complicated, given how manager Ange Postecoglou got very defensive with the media the last time he discussed the topic. He blatantly told people to stop asking for updates on his calf injury, until he himself provided further notice.
Well, Ange has been ornery with the media, at times, this season. Maybe this Richarlison situation is more complicated than had been initially suspected? however Richarlison was spotted back on the grass getting work in. This match might come too soon for him, but he should return not too further beyond it.
As for Odobert (hamstring injury), he could also be in contention here, or maybe for the next game, which will be in the Europa League. We could see him return to training this week.
Ange Postecoglou’s post-Celtic career has not yet taken off.
The Australian was beloved at Parkhead with droves of supporters following his two season stint in Glasgow where he lifted five trophies which landed him his big move to the Premier League.
It was a baptism of fire last term for Postecoglou having joined Tottenham Hotspur who had just lost Harry Kane to Bayern Munich but he managed to guide them to a respectable fifth.
Fast forward a few months, though, and his time in North London has not been as rosy this term.
The club sit ninth with three victories and as many defeats in seven fixtures and their form has had some punters questioning his future
It leaves open an intriguing possibility with the club also in the midst of a potential takeover by Amanda Staveley and her husband and business partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi who previously co-owned Newcastle United.
And that’s where the Celtic link reignites with a former managerial rival of Postecoglou’s for the Hoops job, Eddie Howe, being named by the Sun as a possible replacement option if the bid goes through.
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure at Tottenham Hotspur
Howe was desperately close to agreeing terms with the Celtic board back in May of 2021 after Neil Lennon had resigned and got so far down the line that he was attempting to pick out backroom staff members.
The board confirmed, however, that following the collapse of the move, they had indeed hoped to bring in the Englishman.
Eddie Howe was also a Celtic manager target like Postecoglou after Neil Lennon resigned
Howe and Ange’s paths have crossed more than once, then, both on and off the field and outside of the dugout and there are claims that Stavely and her team would consider reaching out to Howe’s camp should they manage the takeover.
Postecoglou has been adamant in recent weeks that he can turn things around as he demanded that reporters show him respect over his trophy haul.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers laid the groundwork for incomings this summer by initiating several sales to free up squad space.
The Irishman helped push through eight new signings for the Bhoys to replenish the group, but that wouldn’t have been possible without outgoings vacating the premises
Peripheral figures such as Hyeongyu Oh, Mikey Johnston and Benjamin Siegrist went on to new ventures. Meanwhile, Sead Haksabanovic and Tomoki Iwata followed suit.
Several others also left on loan, such as Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio and Hyeokkyu Kwon, leaving Celtic able to push through arrivals in key areas.
Helping to fulfil one of his pledges at the club, Brendan Rodgers should be applauded for his role in proceedings.
Brendan Rodgers’ successful Celtic squad-trimming mission
Speaking last December, Rodgers admitted his ideal Celtic squad size stood at 25 players, including three goalkeepers, to provide a pathway for integration from Lennoxtown into the senior set-up.
He stated: “Ideally we’d have a squad of 25 players, 22 with three goalkeepers. In which case there will also be an opportunity for young players to come through as that’s always my first look.
Throughout my career you’ll see a whole host of young players that I’ve always put in, guys who are 17, 18, 19 or 20. I’ve always looked to that enthusiasm and rawness of a player to bring in.
“So I’ve always looked from within. If it’s not here for whatever reason then you need to bring in from the outside.”
Evaluating the Celtic first-team squad, including his trio of goalkeepers, there are exactly 25 senior players in the building, comprising a side rich in quality and competition but not large enough that complaints over minutes can become a regular focus from members.
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