David Moyes has opened up about the challenging task of maintaining the balance within his squad, which led him to resist the temptation of starting Mohammed Kudus against Aston Villa, writes the WHZ. The Hammers faced a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Unai Emery’s side as they resumed their season after the October international break. With the exception of Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal, Moyes’ side struggled to pose a significant threat to their opponents.
Some West Ham fans expressed their frustration before the match as summer signing Kudus found himself once again on the bench, waiting for his first Premier League start. Moyes provided insight into his decision-making process following the disappointing loss.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Moyes stated, “I am tempted to start Kudus in every game, but I have to be fair and say the team played quite well and, in most games, played well. Obviously, we have a balance and are trying to get that right as well. There have been times where our balance has been very good and got us some good results, but now and again, it can sometimes cause you problems as well.”
While West Ham has been performing well in the Premier League, few have criticized Moyes’ team selection, including the decision to keep Kudus on the bench for domestic matches. However, after the heavy defeat on Sunday, there is growing pressure for changes in the Hammers’ lineup.
Kudus, who joined West Ham for £38 million from Ajax this summer, has demonstrated his potential to be a game-changer in Moyes’ team during his starts in the Europa League. It is only fair that he is given the opportunity for a full Premier League debut.
It is highly likely that the 23-year-old will start in West Ham’s Europa League clash against Olympiacos on Thursday. Assuming he comes through that match without any issues, he should be in the starting lineup for the upcoming Premier League game against Everton.
With the exception of Jarrod Bowen, West Ham’s attacking options are limited, and Michail Antonio has struggled to make a significant impact up front. Kudus has the capability to be that game-changer, especially in closely contested matches. Moyes may need to adjust his team’s balance to accommodate the summer signing and unlock his potential within the team.