Tottenham had so many problems last season that it’s hard to highlight just one issue after they finished in 17th place in the Premier League.
But most prominent among them was their lack of creativity – the lack of a winger who could take players on and create havoc in the opposition box.
The team now have that in Mohammed Kudus after the club splashed out £55m to bring the Ghana star from West Ham, and he’s certainly justified that price tag and then some after one goal and four assists in this first seven league games.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Kudus has helped push Spurs to third in the table as they continue to make a flying start under new boss Thomas Frank and having the 25-year-old in the side has given the north Londoners a new edge that was sorely missing last season.
It seems strange to criticise Tottenham’s lack of threat down the wings in the 2024-25 season considering Brennan Johnson was the club’s top scorer on 18 goals, and he also netted the winner in the Europa League final.
But while he offered goals, Johnson’s inability to take on his man as often as Tottenham fans would have liked was a frustration, as well as his end product.
How Kudus is a nightmare for defenders
We’ve already seen the flamboyant style of play Kudus enjoys this season, sometimes tucking his left foot underneath his right to take a boastfully show off his elegant touch.
But it’s his relentless pace and threat down the right that has been a standout for Spurs, with his marauding runs crucial to Tottenham’s superb start to the season.
So far in the 2025-26 campaign, Kudus has completed 30 take-ons. That’s the highest in the Premier League so far and comfortably clear of the next best total from Brighton’s Yakuba Minteh (19). He has also attempted 30 open play crosses and has an open play expected assists of 1.67 – creating eight chances in open play.
Kudus boasts a 53.57 percent take-on success rate, only bettered by Minteh this season, and has 30 touches in the opposition box. Again, only Minteh has a superior record.
Defensive contribution
Kudus isn’t just a potent threat when he’s got the ball at his feet, he’s also displayed how useful he can be at pressing the opposition and kick-starting counter attacks.
The winger has managed 29 ball recoveries so far this season, making a total of 15 tackles, playing a part in Frank’s focus on forcing mistakes from the opposition and countering quickly.
The central stat to his pressing threat is his 20 possessions won in the middle third of the pitch – summing up his dedication to win the ball back and bomb down the flanks immediately.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Where can Kudus improve?
Certainly Kudus’ goal tally could be improved upon after just one goal this season – which came in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Leeds last weekend.
Kudus only scored five for West Ham last season and has shown some indecisiveness in front of goal this term, missing three big chances and having a shooting accuracy of 38.46.
He only has an xG of 1.67, with eight shots on target so far. If he can add more goals to his game and be more clinical inside the box, Spurs could have a serious game-changer on their hands.
We saw him score from outside the box against Leeds, but with Richarlison stuttering in front of goal this season, Kudus has a chance to be one of Tottenham’s biggest threats in front of goal if he can tweak his game effectively.