West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus has emerged as one of European football’s most dynamic dribblers in the 2024/25 season.
With 130 successful dribbles, the Ghanaian international ranks 5th across Europe’s Top 7 leagues, trailing only Lamine Yamal (224), Jeremy Doku (155), Vinícius Júnior (134), and Moses Simon (133).
This is a remarkable achievement for a player operating primarily as a central midfielder, and it showcases the unique skill set that Kudus brings to the Premier League.
However, despite the flair and ball-carrying ability, Kudus’ overall output has drawn a more measured response.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Ajax for £38 million last summer, has recorded just four goals and four assists in 34 appearances—a return that some may consider underwhelming for a high-profile signing expected to elevate West Ham’s attacking threat.
Kudus is a unique talent. Nominally a midfielder, he plays with the flair, agility, and directness of a wide forward. Comfortable drifting inside or taking on defenders in central zones, his ability to navigate through tight spaces and launch attacks has made him a focal point in West Ham’s build-up play.
Where most players in the top dribbling charts operate on the flanks, Kudus does his damage from deeper and more congested areas. His movement, ball control, and confidence in one-on-one situations have allowed him to consistently break lines and progress play—something that manager Graham Potter has clearly encouraged in his possession-based style.
Under Graham Potter, West Ham have moved toward a more controlled, tactical approach, with an emphasis on ball retention and intelligent movement. This suits Kudus on paper—he’s technically sound, press-resistant, and thrives in combination play.
However, Potter’s style has also placed a high demand on execution in the final third. And it’s here that Kudus has struggled to consistently deliver. While his dribbling numbers are elite, they haven’t always translated into goals or assists. Too often, promising runs have ended with rushed decisions or poor shot selection.
At 24, Kudus still has time to elevate his game. The step up from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is substantial, and he’s shown enough flashes to justify the club’s investment. His ceiling remains high—but turning that potential into consistent production is now the challenge.
The upcoming summer could be crucial for his development. With a full season in England under his belt and time to further adapt to Potter’s system, Kudus could take a major leap forward in 2025/26.
