West Ham United boss David Moyes has suggested that Alex Kral has been unfortunate not to get more game-time this season.
Moyes brought Kral to the London Stadium from Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day in the summer.
The Hammers have an option to sign him permanently next summer for around £17 million (£12 million plus a potential £5 million in add-ons) according to ExWHUemployee.
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As things stand though, that seems to be unlikely. David Moyes has hardly given the Czech Republic international a chance thus far.
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Kral has only been given 210 minutes action by Moyes this season. Incredibly, 21 West Ham players have played more minutes than the 23-year-old so far this season (Transfermarkt).
To be fair to Kral, he has always looked decent when he has played for West Ham.
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The 23-year-old Czech midfielder experienced some time on the sidelines this season after testing positive for Covid-19.
He has also been adapting to life in England and getting up to speed with intense pace of play in England.
Moyes spoke to reporters yesterday and responded when asked whether Kral will play against Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup today, as quoted by Football.London:
“It is a possibility. I will look at the squad. The players are fresh but I’ve also got to keep them fresh for what is coming up as well in the second half of the season. Alex has been a bit unfortunate, he had a period where we had a couple of European games at the end [of the Group Stage] where he got Covid which made it difficult for him. I would like to try and give Alex some minutes and give him an opportunity to show what he can do. I think Alex is still getting used to the speed and the whole situation but I think we’ve said many times how long it can take players to get used to Premier League football and what we need. Alex is just taking a little bit of time but hopefully he’ll get some football second half of the season.”
Surely Kral will be handed a chance today against Kidderminster.
If Moyes doesn’t start the Czech Republic international in a game like this one, it will be clear for everyone to see that he just doesn’t rate the midfielder and more importantly, doesn’t trust him.
The 23-year-old is an incredibly hard working, tenacious central midfielder. It could be argued that he needs to show more than just a hard work ethic and strong tackling ability if he is to earn a permanent move to West Ham though.
Today could be a huge opportunity for him.
Whether Moyes thinks Kral is ready for a highly pressurised game against lower league opposition, however, remains to be seen.
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