Kudus - what's his best position?

[the exile]

"He's such a good player but having watched him for a year, I am still none the wiser as to what's his best position and how we can get the best out of him. It's a big positive that he's so versatile, but would he benefit from being consistently deployed in the same role? How do you think he should and will be played by the new manager?"

[Stowie.40]

"Funny you say that but I see Kudus as more comfortable with going either way, just seems to be able to manipulate the ball either side better than Bowen. I think atm Bowen is our best player and a better player than Kudus but Kudus will end up a lot better than Bowen is & have a far better career. This will be a moot point next summer when he goes anyway."

[stubbo]

"I'd really like to see us try Bowen at left wing. Kudus is limited significantly by playing there, and I see Jarrod as someone more comfortable to go in either direction and a more natural body shape. Seems weird to me that when Kudus is so clearly limited playing wide left, we don't try the other right sided left footed winger there."

[Hammer and Pickle]

"Agree the partnership of Kudus, Paqueta and Bowen is key to getting us firing on all cylinders. I prefer Paqueta in the middle with Kudus on the left. But they can also swap and should be encouraged to do so in a blink of an eye."

[fraser]

"He's brilliant on the right, I'd say better than Bowen by a fag paper (we really are spoilt there) He also looks great central which is what he prefers.. As Nagel says can go either side, just not on the left, he does an adequate job there no doubt, but it's definitely a drop off."

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

"Wide right so he can cut in, but with Bowen, wide left suits the team better. With Paqueta in the 10 role, we have as good a three behind the striker as any club. Hopefully Fullkrug is the missing link we have missed, but if we were to get another striker Tammy Abraham would suit us perfectly."

[Fauxstralian]

"Higher up the pitch so that he can beat a couple & be in on goal Too far back in his starting position under Moyes Disappointed that no one has said MISSIONARY Site, canines etc"

[Nagel]

"the exile 8:04 Wed Aug 14 Yeah, generally that's true, but Kudus doesn't seem bothered by having players in front of him. When he's in central areas he has more choice and can drop a shoulder and feint left or right or go straight ahead. If he's on the flank he can find himself in a bit of a dead end if the defender won't let him cut inside because he wants to be central when he gets near the penalty area."

[Stowie.40]

"His best position is obviously out wide right but it’s also Bowen’s & imo they are the best players at the club so it’s a conundrum what to do. I don’t like Bowen up top, not a massive fan on Kudus left side either but think I’d rather that than Bowen up front. He could play off the front man, think he does for Ghana, he isn’t as creative as Paqueta but he could be more of a Lingard type if he did play there."

[Stowie.40]

"His best position is obviously out wide right but it’s also Bowen’s & imo they are the best players at the club so it’s a conundrum what to do. I don’t like Bowen up top, not a massive fan on Kudus left side either but think I’d rather that than Bowen up front. He could play off the front man, think he does for Ghana, he isn’t as creative as Paqueta but he could be more of a Lingard type if he did play there."

[ludo21]

"Think that Kudus needs a free role, he is obviously a real handful for the opposition so letting him roam and cause the most damage as the game develops would seem best. He is arguably at his best running from deep and ideally we would have two defensive midfielders ready to deal with any break that stems from him losing the ball which is obviously the risk. That ties up players in our midfield but worth it if Kudus is able to cause chaos and be effective... hopefully he can become better at bringing the like of Summerville, Bowen and Fullkrug into play rather than running with the ball until it is lost. As the season develops and we grow into it it may be possible to reduce the defence element, certainly for 'easier' games. Depending upon how everything pans out we will presumably play two of Alvarez, Guido and Paqueta. ---------- Alvarez -------- Rodrigez Bowen ------------ Kudus ---------Summerville ----------------------Fullkrug"

[the exile]

"Not sure about that, Nagel. There's generally more space to run into on the flanks. Central areas tend to get more congested."

[Nagel]

"For me his runs with the ball are best from central positions rather than out wide because he can go past the opposition easy enough but needs space to run into. He's not like Bowen who has such close control that running the flanks suits him better. When Kudus plays on the left he mostly seems to make sideways or backwards runs rather than getting forward and taking shots at goal. He'll still be able to pull off something great every now and then but overall it feels like a waste. That said, what's best for him may not be what's best for the team, and I doubt that Lopetegui sees him as a no 10, and he generally seems to prefer his teams to make runs and passes from wide positions. Perhaps a more fluid setup with Paqueta, Kudus and Bowen switching roles mid-game would be best."