Mohammed Kudus showed exactly why West Ham United supporters have fallen in love with his play with a sensational season-ending goal in Sunday’s Premier League finale at Manchester City.
The Ghanaian Starboy shone brightly again on a tough afternoon at Etihad Stadium, where the title-chasing hosts were dominant for long periods and deserving winners – and champions – come full-time.
While Manchester City penned West Ham in their own territory for extended periods in taking an early two-goal lead, the Irons broke out late in the first half, first when Kudus tested Stefan Ortega, then when he fired a rocket of an overhead kick past the home goalkeeper to half the deficit.
In the second period, Kudus again caught the eye with his quick feet, direct running, low centre of gravity and ability to repeatedly glide past and away from opponents.
Speaking to West Ham TV, the attacker reflected on a marathon season that kicked-off with a UEFA Europa League hat-trick for Ajax, followed by an August transfer to east London, featured 16 goals and six assists in 45 appearances in Claret and Blue, and the disappointment of an early Africa Cup of Nations defeat with the Black Stars.
For Kudus, still just 23, it has been a campaign in which he has learned much, produced repeated moments of brilliance, and the young player paid tribute to the support he has received from departing manager David Moyes and his coaching staff and teammates, before insisting he wants to take his game to new levels next season.
Mo, you’ve played 52 games this season, for two clubs and your national team, moved to a new team, a new country and to the most challenging league in the world. You’ve scored 20 goals and assisted seven more, had some real highs and some disappointments, so how do you reflect on 2023/24?
“It has been a long season with ups and down, but there have been lots of lessons. I’m proud of the whole team, including in today’s game. You could see everyone gave their best, trying to do their best to finish on a high. It’s difficult in games like this where you have to defend most of the game. Everyone gave their best, but overall I’m really proud of the team. Even though we lost the game at Man City, the attitude was right. We lost with a fighting spirit and having given our best.
“Thanks to the manager and everyone at the Club. It’s my first season but the staff, the coaches and the other players, everyone around the Club, has really helped me to settle in well. Big credit to myself as well for believing in myself and putting in the effort day in day out. It can only get better. I’m still far off how I see myself performing in this league, but it’s good to get the first season under my belt. I have a long way to go and there’s more stuff to come.”
That goal was some way to sign-off a really impressive season for you personally?
“As an attacker I was doing my best to get the team back in the game. We didn’t give up at 2-0, and it gave the team the energy that we could get back in the game. I’m glad it went in, it’s just one of those times where I went fully with instinct and I know I have the quality to do stuff like that – it’s not the first time. I just went for it and I’m glad it went in and gave the team the incentive to get back into the game.”
David Moyes departs this summer, so how do you sum up your first and only season under his guidance?
“Big credit to the manager – he has done a fantastic job this season. There have been ups and downs, but I give credit to my teammates, everyone was on top of the season, people playing more or less, even the guys on the bench, we are all together. There’s a lot of respect and energy between everyone, so respect to the whole team. This is just the beginning, and I’m ready to get running into the next season.”
Finally, you have quickly become a real hero to our supporters with the way you play and the way you conduct yourself – humble and focused off the pitch and with real exciting quality on it – so what is your final message of the season to them?
“Big, big credit to them and applause to the fans. Their energy has been immense throughout the whole season. During the tough times they have always been there supporting us, and travelling for the games. For my first season it has been incredible playing under their voices, sounds and energy because they play a big part in the game. We promise to come back stronger and we’ll be looking to do even better than this season when we come back.”
