Mohammed Kudus will be braced for a hostile reception when he returns to former club West Ham on Saturday, just weeks after leaving the London club for Tottenham Hotspur
Jermain Defoe has encouraged Mohammed Kudus to embrace the hostility when the Tottenham star returns to former club West Ham today. Kudus joined Spurs in a £55million deal after just two years at the London Stadium, and will have seen how Hammers fans reacted to other ex-players including Declan Rice in that time.
Defoe was given a rough ride at West Ham’s old Upton Park stadium on his first return, having moved across London to join Spurs in February 2004 – a few short months after handing in a transfer request in the light of the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League. Looking back, though, the former England international admits he enjoyed being given a tough time and hopes Kudus can do the same.
“It wasn’t nice,” Defoe said. “I’m not going to sing the song but I remember it.
“Obviously I knew at the time going back was going to be hostile for me, but the strangest thing… I think you enjoy it. But yeah, for Tottenham, Kudus is a massive signing.
“He’s someone who I’ve always enjoyed watching. He’s a match-winner, and I still feel he can go to the next level.”
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When Defoe left West Ham for Spurs, Bobby Zamora moved in the opposite direction, and he too can appreciate the kind of reception Kudus is likely to face.
“It’s going to be fresh,” Zamora said. “I think those West Ham fans are certainly going to let him know how they feel and what they think. But it’s part and parcel of football, there’s no ground you ever go to and people are all singing your praises.
“So you take it with a pinch of salt and you do what you’re paid to do, and if you can score and silence the critics it helps. Personally I’m hoping he doesn’t.”
Kudus’ move is part of a busy summer for Spurs, who are back in the Champions League after winning last season’s Europa League. New manager Thomas Frank has more than £200m worth of new signings, adding Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons in the final week of the transfer window before clinching a loan move for France striker Randal Kolo Muani on deadline day to add competition up front for Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.
“They’ve done good business,” Defoe added. “Obviously you look at Kudus as a big signing. I’m actually happy for Richarlison – [he’s scored] a few goals this season already. I think he’s had a difficult time at Tottenham.”
Defoe has also been impressed by some of West Ham’s business, not least the free transfer addition of England international striker Callum Wilson, who could start on Saturday with Niclas Fullkrug an injury doubt.
“It’s massive bringing in Callum Wilson, if they can keep him fit he’ll score goals, he’s proven, he backs himself, he’s a confident boy,” Defoe said. “But form goes out the window in games like this, it’s a one-off game and I’m looking forward to it.”
West Ham probable XI (4-3-3): Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Fernandes; Paqueta, Bowen, Wilson
Former England stars Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora unveil the new Sky Bet x British Heart Foundation ‘Red Boot’ trophy – set to be awarded to the EFL’s top scorer this season, with every goal raising £50,000 to fund lifesaving CPR training and CureHeart research. Fans can show their support and learn CPR in just 15-minutes: Search BHF RevivR and / or visit revivr.bhf.org.uk
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
