Tomas Soucek may be a modern-day West Ham United legend, but his relationship with the Czech Republic supporters is a bit more, well, complicated.
Soucek was stripped of the captain’s armband late last year after he was accused of turning his back on the fans following a 6-0 thrashing of Gibraltar in World Cup qualifying.
And, before their 2-1 defeat by a zippy, agile South Korea in Guadalajara, the Hammers giant was accused of ‘holding back’ the Czech team.
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Now, this is not a debate entirely exclusive to the Czech Republic.
Even some West Ham United supporters have wondered, at times, if Tomas Soucek’s eye for goal is worth an occasional lack of mobility and technical quality in the centre of the park.
Though when he pops up in the box to power home a header – as he did before the offside flag ruined those celebrations against South Korea – those criticisms tend to melt away like an ice cream on a sweltering Mexico afternoon.
Tomas Soucek’s father speaks out on West Ham United icon
“That’s football,” quips Frantisek Soucek, the West Ham veteran’s father speaking to Czech publication Novinky. “When you score a goal, the whole nation loves you.
“When things don’t go well, the fans gossip.
“I would rather advise them to look at what Tomas has achieved as a professional footballer. I put this [criticism] behind me. Sometimes, I have to laugh about it!”
Soucek’s parents will make the long journey across the Atlantic ahead of Friday’s match between the Czech Republic and South Africa.
Czech Republic need a result against South Korea to keep World Cup dream alive
Frantisek, who works as a committee member at local outfit Havlickuv Brod, is keen to see a response. Though Tomas does not need any pre-match pep talks.
“The Koreans pleasantly surprised me with the kind of football they played. Fast combinations, they moved into attack in a flash. They are technically equipped. Our players were so stunned, they couldn’t get into it,” says Frantisek.
“Unfortunately, the second goal scored by Tomas was not valid due to a close offside. It’s a big shame, we could have at least drawn. We deserved a point.
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“We call each other, but not to tell him anything about the game. He’s not a little boy anymore. He’s got it all together in his head, he knows what to do. When he was still at Slavia, we dealt with some situations more, but more from the position of a father than a coach.
“I’m no pro!”
Frantisek would not be drawn on the speculation surrounding his son’s future, though.
Last week, Soucek admitted he was torn on whether to stay at West Ham. He knows the importance of balancing his family’s happiness with his own sporting ambitions, all the while acknowledging that the chance to start fresh in Italy is something that appeals to him.
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