While the looming presence of Mohammed Kudus threatens to overshadow much of the pre-match build up when West Ham United host Tottenham Hotspur this Premier League weekend, Graham Potter is only interested in talking up his own matchwinners.
Potter would not be drawn, during his Thursday press conference, about the potential flashpoint that is Mohammed Kudus’ imminent return to the London Stadium.
The Tottenham faithful were quick to rub Hammers’ noses in it when the Ghana international became the first player since Scott Parker in 2014 to swap East London for N17.
Just to add insult to injury, Kudus made a flying start to life at Spurs while West Ham United endured mathematically the worst start in Premier League history. No points and eight goals conceded from their first two matchdays.
But what a difference one weekend can make.
Kudus was a helpless bystander as AFC Bournemouth brutally exposed the ghosts in the Thomas Frank machine last time out. Just 24 hours later, Jarrod Bowen set West Ham on their way to a belated first win of 2025/26 with a gorgeous first-time strike away at Nottingham Forest.
Graham Potter applauds ‘incredible’ Jarrod Bowen before West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Bowen’s City Ground dagger was nothing short of ‘world-class’, to quote former Hammers defender Matthew Upson.
Alan Shearer called it an ‘incredible’ finish. And it’s fair to say the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net.
Shearer’s description was the same one used by Potter, meanwhile, as Bowen further strengthened his argument to be named the Premier League’s standout performer outside of the so-called ‘big six’.
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“I think the goals speak for themselves. He’s a goal threat, that’s what Jarrod is,” Potter enthused. “His finish against Forest was very, very high level. It’s incredible the way he takes it so early.
“His movement to hit the ball… he’s a killer around the box.”
While a talismanic presence on the pitch and a natural-born leader off it, former club-record signing Matt Jarvis believes Jarrod Bowen has benefited immensely from his experience leading the line under David Moyes and occasionally under Potter.
More ruthless, more devastatingly efficient than ever before.
“He’s been a fantastic captain for us,” Potter adds. “A great leader. He speaks really well to the players [and] in small groups.
“He has been a joy to work with, to be honest, and everybody knows how important he is for us. Those goals and assists… There is not too much to say, it’s a great record.”
Potter welcomes back Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Niclas Fullkrug a doubt
It is no secret that departing chairman Daniel Levy would have loved to take Bowen to Tottenham. Now, instead, the prospect of Kudus and Bowen going head-to-head down the respective right-hand flanks should make for very interesting viewing.
Niclas Fullkrug is West Ham’s only injury doubt heading into the weekend, meanwhile. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf have returned unscathed after facing off during Senegal’s 3-2 victory over DR Congo, while Potter has indicated that Callum Wilson could start up top in Fullkrug’s place.
“Malick will be slightly happier than Aaron in terms of how their games went!” Potter smiles. “We are positive and it’s good to see everybody.
“[Wilson] has been great, as we expected. A fantastic professional, a great person to have around the club and training ground.
“We are still building him up. He hasn’t had a pre-season but his impact against Forest was fantastic. We are delighted with Callum, where he is at but also where he’s been, and how we can carry on helping him to have his minutes, make his impact, and contribute to the team.
“[Whether he can start against Spurs] is something we have to take a decision on. He has not been with us that long. It’s always in the back of your mind, we have to do the right thing for him and the team.
“But he’s the type of professional where, whether he starts or finishes [a game], he can have a great impact with us.”