After a summer in which West Ham United gave serious consideration about moving Tomas Soucek on, it appears the experienced midfielder is at the heart of similar discussions at home in the Czech Republic.
While Graham Potter lauded Soucek’s track-record and while West Ham rejected a £15 million bid from Everton in the final few days of the transfer window, Hammers News can reveal that the long-serving colossus was one of a number of players the club were initially open to selling for the right price.
Potter reportedly has reservations about Soucek’s longevity. And while he remains the biggest goalscoring threat at the club outside of Jarrod Bowen, and potentially Callum Wilson or Lucas Paqueta, in the West Ham United boss’ defence, Tomas Soucek is approaching his 31st birthday now.
He has never been the most athletic of footballers. And with so many games under his belt – Soucek has played over 500 for club and country combined – how much longer can he realistically be expected to play such a central role across 40-plus matches every single season?
Soucek captained Czechia to a 2-0 win over Montenegro on Friday night.
But, as one local publication in particular are keen to argue, it may be time for some very uncomfortable conversations regarding his role on the international stage.
Czech media question West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek despite Montenegro win
Now, the West Ham supporters do not need telling that, with the smooth, comes the occasional rough.
Soucek is still a terrifically reliable source of goals from midfield – he scored a Premier League-best nine last season – but dictating play from the middle of the pitch is not something he tends to excel at.
“The start of the season did not find him in optimal condition, which was confirmed today in the national team,” writes Fotbol Zpravy.
“The captain of the Czech team was, as always, indispensable in the air, but he was also very inaccurate [when passing the ball] even let himself be bypassed at the back several times.”
Soucek, as expected, won the second-most aerial duels of any Czechia player. But his pass completion rate of 76 per cent was well below that of his midfield partners.
Medium, another Czech-based publication, were even harsher in their criticism. “Tomas Soucek has been the captain for too long,” they argue. “It’s time for a change.
“Tomas Soucek was practically invisible. He didn’t make any mistakes going backwards, which is the main thing, but he didn’t add any extras, and he often spoiled the pass. You simply expect more from a captain in such an important match.
“He practically did not encounter the ball and, when he did, he usually lost it early. Although his work commitment and effort cannot be denied, he seemed exhausted during the match in Podgorica.
“The worst Czech player in the match? Probably Soucek.”
Soucek stayed at West Ham despite an offer from David Moyes’ Everton
Of course, the criticism could potentially be put down to the fact that people simply expect a lot from the nation’s captain, and their most experienced, arguably high-profile player. The skipper often becomes a lightning rod for fan frustration, even if Czechia did walk away from Montenegro with an impressive away win under their belts.
Yet, while West Ham really considered cashing in for maybe the first time in his London Stadium reign, further questions regarding Soucek’s future may soon become increasingly difficult to ignore.
“There was interest. It was [reported] in the media, it was also felt at the club, But West Ham and I said no, because I feel the strength of West Ham,” Soucek told Ceske Noviny during his pre-match press conference.
“I feel [I am in] a stable position there that is recognised. So, I look forward to further cooperation at West Ham.”
On a more positive note, while earning the captain’s armband himself, Mateus Fernandes inspired Portugal’s Under-21s to a 5-0 destruction of Azerbaijan.
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