West Ham will be looking for another win in Europe this season, with one player already showing the things he can do on the big stage…
Tonight’s Europa League match between West Ham United and SC Freiburg marks the start of the Hammers’ return to competition.
The team led by David Moyes will look to build on the highs they experienced on the continent last year, when they won the Europa Conference League and earned their first European trophy since 1965.
The Irons got their Europa League campaign off to a strong start last time out in the competition, coming from behind at the London Stadium to beat Serbian outfit Backa Topola 3-1.
What is the latest West Ham United team news?
With four wins from their opening seven league games, the east Londoners have started the season in fine fashion on the back of their relegation-threatening form throughout the last term.
In terms of team news, Aaron Cresswell is expected to be the only player definitely absent from the action due to injury.
The Evening Standard reports that Jarrod Bowen, Moyes’ standout player, is thought to have had a knock during the Hammers’ Premier League victory against Sheffield United last weekend.
The manager is yet to confirm the extent of the reported injury, with the hope that it’s a case of a minor niggle rather than a pending absence.
The hero last time out in the competition was summer signing Mohammed Kudus, who scored his first goal for the club against Backa to inspire the hosts’ comeback to begin their European campaign with three points.
Should Mohammed Kudus start against Freiburg?
While the Ghanaian was signed for £38m from Ajax in the summer, he’s had a slow start to life with the Irons, with him yet to start a Premier League match from his opening four appearances.
The 2023/24 campaign has been encouraging for the 23-year-old so far, with him already netting five goals in nine appearances in all competitions, representing both West Ham and his former club.
Once lauded as “electric” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the versatile forward could once again be the difference maker for Moyes’ side in the Europa League, with the opportunity there for him to add to his tally in the tournament.
Last time out in the Premier League, the Ghana international replaced Michail Antonio to lead the line for the Irons, a position that he could occupy this evening to add to the threat going forward to damage Freiburg.
The danger that Kudus can exert on the opposition is highlighted by his numbers over the past year, with FBref ranking him in the top 1% of those in his position in competitions comparable to Eredivisie for his rate of expected goals (xG) and successful take-ons. The £90k a week striker, who averages 0.48 non-penalty xG and 4.56 successful take-ons per 90, presents a much greater threat going forward than Antonio, who over the previous year averaged 0.29 non-penalty xG and 1.56 successful take-ons per 90.
With Freiburg also winning their group opener, Moyes may give his improving team a significant lead by adding another victory to their record.
In a game that could give Kudus the chance to show off his skills to the benefit of everyone but Freiburg, tonight is the perfect chance for the manager to test the waters and determine Kudus’ best position in claret and blue.
