Carragher blames Kudus’ dip in form for West Ham’s poor season

West Ham United’s underperformance in the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign has drawn criticism from many corners, but former England defender Jamie Carragher has singled out one player in particular as a symbol of the team’s struggles—Ghanaian international Mohammed Kudus.

Kudus, who arrived at West Ham from Dutch giants Ajax last season, quickly became one of the most exciting talents in the league. In his debut Premier League season (2023/2024), the versatile midfielder contributed significantly to West Ham’s impressive domestic and European form, racking up a total of 14 combined goals and assists. His performances were praised by fans and pundits alike for his technical brilliance, creativity, and work rate.

That breakout campaign gave West Ham a strong finish both in the Premier League and in the Europa League, raising expectations for what Kudus could offer in his second year. However, Carragher believes the 24-year-old has failed to build on that momentum, contributing to the Hammers’ disappointing season.

“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,” Carragher said in a recent analysis of the club’s performance. “Last season, he looked fantastic; he just hasn’t looked the same player this season.”

Kudus has managed only four goals and two assists across 29 league appearances in the ongoing campaign, a stark drop from the impact he made during his debut season. His decline in output has coincided with a slump in West Ham’s performances, as the team has struggled to find consistent form and remains mid-table, well outside the European qualification spots.

While acknowledging Kudus’ immense talent, Carragher speculated that the player’s underwhelming second season could lead to a transfer. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a change there in some way, because West Ham need the money,” he stated. “Other clubs might think this is an off-season for him. Last season showed the type of player he can be.”

The comments have sparked discussions about the future of Kudus at the London Stadium. While West Ham have invested heavily in recent seasons to build a competitive squad, the team’s financial limitations may force them to cash in on valuable assets to rebalance their books or fund new signings.

Kudus, despite a quieter season statistically, remains highly regarded across Europe. Several top clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation, seeing potential in the former Ajax star who was once described as one of the most dynamic attacking midfielders in Europe. A transfer could represent a fresh start for the player, while giving West Ham the funds they need to rebuild.

Analysts have also pointed to broader issues at West Ham beyond Kudus’ form, including tactical inconsistencies, defensive vulnerabilities, and injuries to key players. But as is often the case in football, high-profile players bear the brunt of scrutiny, especially when they’ve previously shown flashes of brilliance.

As the season draws to a close, both Kudus and West Ham will be under pressure to finish strongly. The club’s management will have to decide whether to retain the midfielder and bet on his resurgence next season or take advantage of any incoming offers during the summer transfer window.

Fans of both West Ham and the Ghanaian national team will be watching closely. For Kudus, the next few months could be crucial in shaping his career trajectory—either as a renewed star in East London or as the latest export to one of Europe’s footballing powerhouses.

🗣️ "He doesn't look like the same player this season." @Carra23 on Mohammed Kudus's impact at West Ham this season ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/ZhLsDZmuHp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 18, 2025

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