Tomas Soucek has made a stunning admission about his West Ham future after the arrival of Kalvin Phillips on Friday.
West Ham have completed the signing of Kalvin Phillips on loan from Man City and many believe it will be bad news for Tomas Soucek.
The Czech midfielder has become something of a scapegoat for some West Ham fans.
Soucek is clearly limited in terms of his ability on the ball. And when he’s not contributing goals, many Hammers supporters question how much he offers for West Ham.
Moyes’ midfield dilemma
It is widely believed that Soucek will be the one who makes way in the starting XI following the arrival of Phillips.
That gives David Moyes something of a dilemma.
And it is a strange situation given it Soucek has signed a new long-term deal with the Hammers until 2027 – which was officially announced at the start of the month.
Prior to penning that deal – which actually happened in the summer – Soucek had been linked with moves away to teams in Germany and Italy.
Soucek’s stunning admission about future after Phillips arrival
Now Soucek has made a stunning admission about his West Ham future after the arrival of Phillips.
Speaking on the V Repre podcast – as translated by Czech outlet Infotbal – Soucek has revealed he turned down a mega money move to Saudi Arabia in the summer because he is happy at West Ham.
The towering Hammer admits he has thought about trying Serie A or the Bundesliga.
But he insists he would rather return to the Czech league when his time with the Hammers ends over any move to Saudi, China or the USA.
‘Saudi not for me’
“Already last summer I received an offer directly from Saudi Arabia,” Soucek said.
“But I immediately gave it away, it’s not my cup of coffee.
“A lot of people told me that I was mad, but why? It’s not for me. Neither America nor China. I would rather return to the Czech league, where I would live with my family and friends. And if it was Slavia (Prague), the club that raised me, that would be a plus.”
Some were critical of Soucek’s performance in the draw with Sheffield United last time out. But he was named in the statistical Premier League team of the week.
The selfless, dogged and disciplined work Soucek does for the team often goes unnoticed or at least under appreciated nowadays. It was one of the reasons many supporters fell in love with Soucek when he first joined. But some now take it for granted – as is human nature.
But if he does make way for Phillips when everyone is fit and available then at least when he does play, it will be in his preferred natural position further forward.
READ ALSO
Phillips lifts lid on role Rice played in his decision to join West Ham.
West Ham close to fourth January deal says Dharmesh Sheth.
Bellingham and Grealish lead star line-up of messages to West Ham new boy.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
