West Ham are raging over a messy situation surrounding absolutely key player Vladimir Coufal amid his ongoing injury concerns.
Two things have become abundantly clear at West Ham this season – if they weren’t already.
The Hammers definitely need a young, pacy, modern new right-back in the summer window. And until then Vladimir Coufal is the only legitimate option in that position if West Ham want to stay up.
West Ham will have to pick up at least 12 points from their remaining 12 games to have a chance of Premier League survival.
And a manic schedule of nine matches in 27 days in April kicks off after this international break.
West Ham have been without Coufal since the 4-0 win over Forest last month due to a heel injury.
David Moyes revealed he was hoping to have the Czech defender back in contention for the huge relegation six-pointer against Southampton a week on Sunday.
Coufal had not even returned to full training at West Ham before the international break.
So eyebrows were raised when he was one of 11 West Ham first team stars called up by their national teams set to be involved in a combined total of 21 games over the next week.
Word from the Czech Republic camp is that there is every intention for Coufal to be involved in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Poland and Moldova.
And the Hammers are far from happy.
In fact West Ham are raging over the messy situation surrounding absolutely key player Coufal amid his injury concerns.
So much so a club insider has spoken out about the issue to Claret and Hugh.
“We wish Coufal wasn’t going away given the circumstances with his heel problem,” a key West Ham source told the site.
“And who knows what injuries any of the other senior players on duty will pick up.”
Coufal is undoubtedly fiercely proud and passionate about representing the Czech Republic. And so he should be.
But West Ham’s situation is dire and no chances can or should be taken with any players, particularly key stars who have missed the last month of football for their club.
It may be that Coufal is wanted in and around the squad for his experience. But if he plays and aggravates the injury, the ramifications don’t bear thinking about at West Ham.
It’s a messy and unnecessary situation.
And with Ben Johnson and Thilo Kehrer the only alternatives at right-back, the Hammers would be dicing with relegation disaster if they were forced to make do without Coufal.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Banners calling for manager sacking should give West Ham food for thought.
Paqueta relief for Moyes but 21 divided by 11 equals sleepless nights for boss.
West Ham star to discover future fate after dramatic twist to his situation.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
