Greg . 1 day ago

Black Star Watch: Thomas Frank could unlock Mohammed Kudus’ creative side

When you think of Mohammed Kudus, the first images that come to mind are flair, fearless dribbling, ball-carrying brilliance and a left foot capable of spectacular strikes.

For years, those qualities made him a puzzle for coaches trying to pin down his best position.

Growing up, Kudus idolised Thiago Alcântara and began as a number 8, a box-to-box midfielder with vision and bite.

But as his career progressed, his ability to glide past defenders and score goals saw him pushed further forward, taking turns as a No.

10, winger and even false 9.

He often described himself as a midfielder, but always highlighted his versatility, willing to play wherever the coach needed him.

That answer, however, has changed since his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

After signing for the London club, Kudus referred to himself outright as a winger.

And after Spurs’ 3–0 win over Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League, he doubled down.

“As a winger, one of my responsibilities is to serve the strikers and put the ball in areas for them to score to get more confidence.

That's why we are here, to serve the strikers.

”It was the clearest statement yet from the 25-year-old about his role and perhaps a glimpse into the conversations Thomas Frank has had with him.

Just as in pre-season, Kudus started on the right of a 4-2-3-1 against Burnley.

His touch map showed how disciplined his role was with nearly 60% of his touches came nearing the touchline, suggesting strict instructions to stay wide rather than roam inside.

MOHAMMED KUDUS TOUCH ZONEThat isolation, however, played into his strengths.

Left one-on-one with his marker, Kudus could create separation and deliver balls into the box.

He attempted six crosses, second-most for Spurs, with three successful - the highest in the team.

The end product was stunning as Kudus created five chances, including two assists for Richarlison.

It was the first time Kudus had created five chances in a Premier League match and also the first time he had delivered two assists in a single league game since moving to England.

Another early tweak from Frank was giving Kudus responsibility on corners and set pieces, something unfamiliar to many fans.

The signs were there in pre-season: his corner against Reading led to a goal, and against Arsenal, his delivery even rattled the post.

On opening day, Kudus swung in four corners, two of which found teammates, with two of his five chances created coming directly from set pieces.

It’s a new creative layer to his game that Spurs are keen to exploit.

Kudus touches vs BurnleyOptaMOHAMMED KUDUS CARRIESPerhaps the biggest shift has been in Kudus’ associative play.

Of his 10 carries against Burnley, eight ended in passes, while another led to a opportunity created.

 He looked more like a facilitator than the direct goal threat many have grown accustomed to.

 The trade-off, though, was clear with just two shots attempted and only four touches inside Burnley’s penalty area.

Kudus’s goalscoring instincts weren’t as prominent, but his creativity flourished.

Kudus carries vs BurnleyOptaIt’s still early days, but the signs are that Frank wants to unlock a new side of Kudus, which is the creator rather than just the scorer.

If he can find the balance between the two, Spurs may have found the perfect role for a player whose versatility has long been both a blessing and a burden.

The Black Star Watch is a compelling weekly column written by Owuraku Ampofo, a seasoned sports journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Ghanaian players.

This column aims to uncover patterns, address pressing questions, and illuminate trending topics surrounding Ghanaian footballers.

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