Kudus will thrive under Thomas Frank

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Mohammed Kudus won’t fix Spurs overnight, but under Thomas Frank, he could become their next attacking star, writes Dylan Johnson.

Tottenham have had a £50-million bid for Mohammed Kudus rejected by West Ham, but talks remain active. The Ghanaian wants Champions League football and is prioritising a move to Spurs, despite interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Kudus arrived in East London with high expectations after a £38m move from Ajax. He delivered 17 goal contributions in his debut season and looked set for a breakout year. Instead, he struggled for consistency, managing just five goals and four assists in all competitions during a difficult 2024/25 campaign.

That drop in output coincided with a poor season for West Ham. The team finished 14th and went through a managerial change, with Graham Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui. While Kudus’ form mirrored the broader issues at the club, there’s still a strong belief in his potential.

At 24, Kudus is far from a complete player. He offers something few attackers in the Premier League do: physicality, dribbling power, and pressing intensity. Kudus isn’t a natural touchline winger, but he works best cutting in or operating centrally, where he can drive at defenders and link play. He can be reluctant on his weaker foot and needs to improve his crossing and final pass — but these are areas that can be developed.

A move to Spurs under Thomas Frank offers a platform to refine these skills. Kudus would join a more structured team, with possession and movement built around players of a higher quality. With Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke and potentially Son around him, he wouldn’t be forced to carry the attacking burden.

Crucially, Frank’s track record with player development — especially attackers like Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa — is encouraging. Kudus fits that mould and could follow a similar path under the Dane’s guidance.

There’s also the matter of market value. Premier League-ready, left-footed wingers are scarce. Mbeumo is heading to Manchester United for over £60m with one year left on his deal. Kudus has three years left, brings versatility and proven top-flight experience. Spurs may not want to pay his £85m release clause, but in this market, the price isn’t far off what United are paying for Mbeumo.

Kudus won’t solve all of Tottenham’s problems right away. But with patience and the right coaching, he could become a vital long-term piece for Spurs.

Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images

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Dylan Johnson