Wayne Rooney has been extremely impressed by one Tottenham star this season and believes that the numbers tell a clear story that the player is on the verge of a breakout season.
There were many big positives for Thomas Frank to take from the win over Leeds, one of those being that there were excellent performances from back to front from his side.
However, the man who has been Tottenham Hotspur’s most consistent attacker this season was once again head and shoulders above the rest.
Mohammed Kudus set up Spurs’ opener via a through ball to Mathys Tel before getting on the scoresheet himself in the second period for the first time this season.
Wayne Rooney makes confident Mohammed Kudus claim for Tottenham
Rooney pointed out that even before his goal at Elland Road, the former West Ham man’s numbers suggested that he has been one of the best players on show in the Premier League this season.
Now that Kudus has scored his first goal, the Man United legend suggested that he could hit a new level over the coming weeks and months.
Rooney told BBC MOTD (04/10/25) about the 25-year-old winger: “I think he’s been a breath of fresh air, you look at the stats from the game, he’s first in everything, duels won, successful dribbles, shots, touches in the opposition box, sprints, and he’s had a real impact for Tottenham this season.
“He’s got four assists this season, joint first in the Premier League; he’s by far had the most successful dribbles in the league. So, all that was missing was the goal. I think that goal today will push him on that next step. He’s been a real top signing.”
The numbers show why Kudus is not your typical winger
Kudus leads the Premier League in four key metrics, including some that were mentioned by Wayne Rooney. Interestingly, though, one of those four is a metric which you would expect a winger to be topping: the number of duals one.
The Ghana international is not just elite at bally carrying and in one-v-one situations, but he is almost impossible to dispossess, while his strength and pace allow him to make something of any long ball played in his general direction.
That is not lost on Thomas Frank, who has waxed lyrical about Kudus’ strength and hold-up play.