David Moyes Faces Conundrum as West Ham Prepare for Kudus’ Absence

As the Africa Cup of Nations beckons, David Moyes faces a ticking clock to solve West Ham’s dilemma with Mohammed Kudus set to depart after the clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on January 2.

Kudus’ impending absence for potentially seven key matches, including the EFL Cup semi-finals if the Hammers progress, poses a “significant problem,” as outlined by Malik Ouzia in The Standard.

The solution appears to involve deploying Jarrod Bowen on the right, a position where he excels, while slotting Lucas Paqueta on the left, creating an obvious choice for Moyes. Yet, this hinges on the selection of a center-forward, a decision critical to shaping the team’s strategy for the coming month.

Even with Michail Antonio’s potential return from injury, Moyes might opt against fielding him, indicating an alternative is necessary. While Danny Ings seems out of favor, the untested Divin Mubama emerges as a viable option.

Moyes faces a tight timeframe to determine his lineup strategy, knowing well that these choices will dictate the team’s trajectory for weeks ahead.

Replacing Kudus’ impactful nine goals won’t be an easy feat, but West Ham still boasts talented attacking players. However, any misstep in Moyes’ decision-making could see the season falter while Kudus plies his trade thousands of miles away.

The challenges posed by Kudus’ absence were always anticipated upon his signing, and addressing this issue remains paramount for the Hammers.