Mo Kudus has sent a warning to Julen Lopetegui when being asked about working with the new West Ham boss next season.
Every now and again a player comes along who supporters can see is special from the moment he first steps on the pitch.
And that is very much the case for Mohammed Kudus at West Ham.
The Ghana star boy was one of West Ham’s standout players last season, smashing dribbling records and scoring some unforgettable goals along the way.
With stellar performances comes the inevitable circling of vultures over the London Stadium, though. As West Ham fans are well aware down the years.
If media speculation is to be believed, West Ham’s star boy has been attracting interest this summer.
That’s hardly surprising after a superb debut season in the Premier League.
Kudus is said to have an £85m release clause at West Ham. It was claimed that only becomes active next summer.
But there has been talk of late that is not the case and in fact it is active from now.
Hammers News has reached out to the top spokesman inside West Ham to clarify that matter. But we were – rather worryingly – met with radio silence.
There was reassurance from that spokesman last week, though, when Hammers News exclusively reported that West Ham bullishly stated clubs from Saudi linked with Kudus ‘can’t afford him’.
Kudus warns Lopetegui when asked about new West Ham boss
West Ham fans presumably aren’t the only ones desperate to see Kudus stay for next season.
New head coach Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to shape his new-look side around the likes of Kudus while getting the best out of the 23-year-old.
There is only one way to do that it seems, according to the man himself.
Kudus has warned Lopetegui when asked about working with the new West Ham boss.
West Ham’s star boy is back in his homeland at the moment before returning to pre-season training over the next week.
The Hammers report back for their first session under Lopetegui on Wednesday.
But Kudus played two World Cup qualifiers for Ghana after the end of the season so is likely to have at least another week off.
The West Ham favourite attended an awards ceremony dedicated to Ghana’s top stars.
He picked up the gong for Ghanaian goal of the season. And during his post award interview he was asked about working with Lopetegui.
Kudus told Lopetegui he will do his best to fit any change of system at West Ham.
‘I won’t change my style’ says Hammers star boy
But he warned the Spaniard not to try and change him or his style of play, because it will be a waste of time.
“It’s very difficult to get used to every single system (of a new manager) every single time (there’s a change),” Kudus said.
“Even if that’s playing with the club team and then the national team, different coaches as well, so as part of our job being versatile to adapt to different kinds of coaches is the main key that you have to always be up for.
“Whichever coach that comes, me personally my style of play will always stay the same you know.
“I will need to blend in with what the coach wants and give the team the results they want but I’m still going to be me and the stuff you see me doing is still going to be same, just under a different coach.”
Lopetegui consider yourself well and truly warned.
One change Lopetegui might have to make is to play Kudus in his favoured central role.
That is where he says he feels most comfortable and where he can do so much damage, as he showed with that Ghana goal of the year award-winner for West Ham against Freiburg.
You can watch Kudus’ interview below.