“It was for tactical reasons”- “Juicy Details Revealed: Julen Lopetegui Breaks Silence on Mohammed Kudus Incident at West Ham!”
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui addressed the media ahead of their Premier League match against Ipswich Town. The past week has been busy for the Hammers, particularly following reports of a confrontation between Lopetegui and Mohammed Kudus after their match against Brentford. Kudus was substituted at half-time for Carlos Soler, leading to a negative reaction from the Ghanaian international.
As the team prepares to face Ipswich on Saturday, it remains to be seen if Lopetegui will retain Kudus in the starting lineup. The Spanish manager shared his thoughts on the incident and provided team news for the upcoming game.
### Lopetegui Discusses the Situation
Lopetegui was questioned about Kudus and Lucas Paqueta, emphasizing the necessity for players to prioritize the team over individual interests. He stated, “It’s vital that the team performs well as a whole, rather than relying on one or two players. Football is a collective game, and our strength comes from teamwork.”
Following the Brentford match, Lopetegui clarified that the decision to substitute Kudus was tactical, indicating his desire for a cohesive team effort. “It was a tactical decision. In the second half, we functioned as a team, which is a significant step forward. I was pleased with our behavior in that half, as it reflected what we needed on the pitch.”
According to The Athletic, Kudus and Lopetegui had a candid exchange after the substitution, with Kudus expressing his dissatisfaction over being taken off. Lopetegui, on the other hand, was not satisfied with Kudus’ performance. However, a report from talkSPORT has suggested that West Ham sources downplayed the incident, indicating it was not as severe as initially reported.
