Mohammed Kudus has gone viral in his first game for Tottenham Hotspur and it will fill West Ham chief David Sullivan with instant deep regret.
The instant impact of Mohammed Kudus will only heighten the frustration surrounding his controversial move from West Ham to bitter rivals Spurs.
West Ham fans have seen many brilliant players come and go down the years.
Kudus was not with the Hammers long enough for his departure to be as damaging as many who have left in the past.
But the Ghanaian’s exit is unique given he was the first player to move between fierce rivals West Ham and Spurs in more than 14 years.
West Ham took big risk selling Kudus to Spurs
Hammers fans had accepted the club had to sell Kudus to raise funds for Graham Potter to make signings of his own.
However, there was never any credence given to reports Tottenham could sign Kudus when they first emerged back in April.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all looked much more likely destinations.
Even if Kudus had a desperately poor season last term by his own talented standards.
So for David Sullivan to end up selling Kudus to Spurs was big news which sparked an angry reaction in east London towards the majority owner and the player.
Especially when it emerged Daniel Levy has paid just £54.5m – more than £30m less than Kudus’ “release clause” and £10.5m less than the “minimum amount” West Ham had put on their former star boy’s head.
Spurs and Kudus have relished rubbing salt in West Ham’s wound by goading the Hammers since the move.
The 24-year-old former Ajax star declared he ‘only wanted Spurs’ in a video announcing his arrival.
Kudus was also seen on camera telling Tottenham’s doctor ‘You will find Spurs in there’ as he listened to his heart with a stethoscope.
All gleefully posted out by Tottenham’s official channels and of course lapped up by supporters.
West Ham have been subjected to taunts from Arsenal supporters since selling Declan Rice to them two years ago.
Viral Kudus fills West Ham chief Sullivan with instant regret
Now the Hammers must suffer the ignominy of the same treatment from Tottenham over Kudus.
There has been a narrative from West Ham since the deal that Potter is unmoved by the sale of Kudus.
The Hammers head coach is reportedly not concerned by the loss of the player or character.
It has also been claimed Sullivan and the board don’t see selling Kudus as a disaster.
That’s despite the outrage it stirred among supporters, many of whom predicted Kudus would rediscover his explosive best form for the Lilywhites.
Well it seems those fans are already being proved right.
Because viral Kudus will fill West Ham chief Sullivan with instant regret on his Spurs bow.
Tottenham played their first pre-season friendly – and first game under new boss Thomas Frank – when they went to Reading on Saturday.
Kudus started the game on the bench, coming on in the second half.
Many West Ham fans have churlishly suggested Kudus is a bad signing for Tottenham.
But the former Hammer wasted little time making his mark for Spurs.
And frankly wasted little time making a mockery of his price tag too.
Kudus registered an assist by setting up a goal within eight minutes of coming on.
At West Ham, Kudus earned a reputation, backed up by statistics, of being one of – if not the – best dribblers in all of Europe.
The Hammers witnessed that on several occasions, not least with his Diego Maradona-esque solo goal against Freiburg in the Europa League.
Kudus wows on Spurs bow after seriously questionable deal
Against Reading, Kudus was surrounded by four players but showed his elite strength, skill and pace to wriggle out, play a one-two right on the touchline and burst past another two Royals markers to launch a remarkable counter attack out of nothing.
It tore Reading apart and Kudus then played the ball inside for what should have been another assist only for his teammate to fire wide.
The moment had the Tottenham players, staff and manager Frank aghast.
Frank was even seen rushing to his pitchside screen to watch a replay of the moment as he applauded with a knowing smile that said ‘I told you he was good’.
No matter what West Ham fans think about the narrative that Kudus was a bad egg in the dressing room, the moment raises the question why on earth Sullivan buckled and sold to Tottenham.
The moment has gone viral among football fans on social media and has even been broadcast on Sky Sports.
Tottenham fans have already been goading West Ham – thanking their rivals for Kudus and at a discounted price.
Yes Kudus may have been sold by necessity – but this clip proves he should never have been sold to Spurs as all West Ham’s worst fears look set to come true.
