One West Ham United international star has been lauded by the national press after his most recent performance for his country.
West Ham have experienced a really challenging international break, with Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus all having suffered injury problems.
Hammers boss David Moyes would have been spitting feathers with so many key players falling foul to injury, at what is such a crucial time of the season.
In addition to all the fitness concerns, Vladimir Coufal was also banished from the Czech Republic squad, having broken team rules.
However, it was a very good international break for one of our players in particular – Tomas Soucek.
The 28-year-old scored two goals whilst captaining his country, and fired the Czechs to EURO 2024 qualification in the process, although he did suffer a really nasty facial injury during the clash with Poland.
And his national press have absolutely lauded him for his efforts…
West Ham international lauded
The former Slavia Prague man has been back amongst the goals for the Hammers this season, and he has for his country as well.
Soucek receives plenty of criticism from some sections of the West Ham fanbase but he can never be questioned for commitment levels of work-rate.
Czech media outlet Idnes raved about the midfielder after his performances against Poland and Moldova.
The newspaper offered high words of praise for Soucek:
‘He doesn’t give off real football beauty but is diligent, stubborn, jumps for shots, fights clouds of duels and would leave his soul on the field.’
That sounds exactly like big Tom to me. He bleeds for the cause, whether he’s playing for the Hammers or his country.
Despite the level of criticism he receives, it’s fair to say that he offers us so much defensively, aerially and from a leadership perspective as well.
The West Ham star is clearly very much appreciated at international level, and I reckon he deserves more respect at club level as well.
I have criticised Soucek heavily in the past, but I can admit now that that was perhaps slightly unfair. We all know that he’s not the best footballer in the world but there aren’t many who can top him for desire and effort.
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