Kudus 'Super' Kick Double Edged Sword!

Mohammed Kudus helped ensure Ghana progressed to the finals of the African Nations Cup with a scintillating free kick after his team had gone one nil down in a crucial qualifier against Central African Republic. Hammers £38 Million summer signing from Ajax will most likely miss six domestic games as Ghana are one of the favourites to to do well in the tournament.

Kudus will miss Hammers FA Cup third round tie on the weekend of January the 6th, as well as the Premier League games against Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Manchester United, Arsenal and possibly Nottingham Forest depending on how far Ghana progress and whatever rest time the club give him after the competition.

Nayef Aguerd, Saïd Benrahma and Max Cornet will also be at the Africa Cup of Nations. Clubs are generally obligated to release players participating in the competition a week ahead of the tournament, this one starts on January the 13th.

Unfortunately the AFCON doesn't finish until February 11th, a full FIVE WEEKS which is an awful lot of time to be deprived of key players. However it is the same for every club that signs players from AFCON participants, the clubs knew that those players could be away for significant periods of time on International duty which is often reflected in the 'discounted'price that they pay.
The problem is of course NOT just about the time the players will be away, the biggest sceptre is that they may pick up injuries, especially if their team goes far into the competition. At least it means David Moyes will be able to give players game time who otherwise would have found their chances of featuring for the first team few and far between. - LN