Mohammed Kudus breaks silence on hitting Micky van de Ven in the face before Tottenham move

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Mohammed Kudus has finally spoken about that infamous moment when he clashed with Micky van de Ven during a heated London derby last season, a scuffle that saw him sent off, and what it is now like to share a dressing room with the Dutch defender at Tottenham.

It is not often that a player moves directly from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur, given the rivalry that exists between the two clubs, but Mohammed Kudus became the latest to make that rare switch this summer.

One would have to look back to 2011 for the last time such a move happened, with Scott Parker making the same journey across London.

The rivalry between both clubs is fierce, with Thomas Soucek once revealing that West Ham players particularly relish coming up against Tottenham, while Kyle Walker also claimed that games against West Ham often feel more intense than even the North London Derby against Arsenal.

Tottenham's Micky Van de Ven and Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus reflects on Micky van de Ven clash in Tottenham vs West Ham

Kudus has already experienced his fair share of fiery derbies for both West Ham and Tottenham, but last season’s clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stands out for all the wrong reasons.

The Ghana international lost his cool that day, getting into a scuffle with Micky van de Ven which ultimately led to his dismissal, as Spurs went on to claim a 4-1 victory.

Now teammates under Thomas Frank, Kudus has opened up about how he feels playing alongside the same player he once clashed with.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Kudus revealed that there are no hard feelings between them, insisting that what happened on the pitch stayed there. “I think it is just, whatever happened on the pitch stays on the pitch, you know? I was just fuming in that game, and I just reacted straight away, and then it is done and dusted after the game,” he said.

He added, “So it is nice playing with him now, it is a small world in football. So just try to patch up and move on.”

Kudus is shining under Thomas Frank at Spurs

Despite that past altercation, Mohammed Kudus has settled remarkably well in north London. His performances under Thomas Frank have been outstanding, and he has quickly become one of Tottenham’s most consistent attacking threats this season.

The Ghana international looks sharp, confident, and focused, showing no signs of discomfort in his new surroundings. He seems to have found his rhythm in Frank’s system and looks set to surpass his numbers from last season with West Ham.

Kudus registered three assists last term, but he has already notched four in over 25 fewer games this campaign. At £55 million, he could well prove to be one of the best value signings of the summer if his upward trajectory continues.