Bonus point hoarder Mohammed Kudus a smart differential option for Dream Team bosses in Gameweek 27

AT this stage of the season, many Dream Team managers will be searching for smart differential options.

This is to say, players who are overlooked by the vast majority of gaffers but have the ability to rack up plentiful points.

The likes of Erling Haaland (£7.7m), Bukayo Saka (£5.9m) and Phil Foden (£5.7m) are obviously fantastic assets but they’re so popular that their points are unlikely to change the outlook of most Mini Leagues.

This is why somebody like Mohammed Kudus (£4.6m) has the potential to be a difference-maker.

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Dream TeamAll the talent in the world[/caption]

The West Ham winger features in just 1.1% of teams and is therefore a massive differential.

His low ownership is a result of his recent Africa Cup of Nations commitments and the Hammers’ poor form.

David Moyes’ side started the year with eight games in a row without a win but they’ve addressed that dip with two consecutive wins most recently.

It’s no coincidence that results have picked up since the first-choice front three were reunited with the return of Lucas Paqueta (£4m) from injury.

West Ham have scored seven goals in two games since the Brazilian rejoined Kudus and Jarrod Bowen (£4.7m) in the starting line-up.

With his side’s worst form seemingly over and AFCON no longer a factor, the ex-Ajax midfielder deserves to be more popular in the realm of Dream Team.

GettyBowen, Kudus and Paqueta is a fantastic forward line[/caption]

Kudus produced 68 points across four Gameweeks before he joined up with Ghana in January.

And he’s earned 41 points in six outings since returning.

In fact, the 23-year-old’s average of 6.1 points-per-game in 2023/24 is only bettered by eight midfielders.

Kudus has scored nine goals and provided six assists but it’s his ability to rack up bonus points that makes him such an appealing option.

Only four players have registered more than his 38 bonus points at this stage which is remarkable considering Kudus didn’t start his first game until late September and missed all of January while away at AFCON.

As if to illustrate this point, he earned six bonus points across West Ham’s recent wins over Brentford and Everton.

West Ham’s results have picked up latelyPA

Those stats alone would be enough to justify a transfer for Kudus but this strategy becomes even more tempting when the schedule is also taken into account.

West Ham have the luxury of back-to-back home games in Gameweek 27 against Burnley and Freiburg.

The second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie promises to be competitive but the Clarets have been easy pickings in the Premier League.

Suddenly Kudus’ ownership of 1.1% looks very, very low indeed.