A combination of some pretty awful form and a stunning signing knocking on the door to replace him could just spell the end for one former Hammers’ favourite and trophy winner. Slated by his national press again after a second lacklustre performance, he now faces the return to London Stadium and a Saturday fixture against Fulham knowing that the competitor for his shirt has had two clear weeks working with Lopetegui to replace him!
I feel a bit sorry for Vlad Coufal. Always the hard worker, a brilliant attitude and seemingly, like his Czech counterpart Tomas Soucek a really nice, genuine guy, it appears that time and poor form is catching up with the 32 year old from Ostrava who has started over 120 PL games for us without registering on the score sheet.
Coufal – Aaron Wan Bissaka breathing down his neck
He’s always seemed a willing workhorse whether for club or country but the latest criticism from i-sport.cz shows him guilty of errors leading to both goals in the crucial match against Ukraine (which his Czech Republic team won 32 thanks to a Soucek penalty). On top of this the same media outlet were hyper critical of Coufal following the 4-1 defeat to Georgia.
Normally after a couple of poor matches for country, a player can return to his club and look forward to better things in the domestic league. Coufal, however, has the spectre of Aaron Wan-Bissaka looming large over his shoulder now- AWB has been a revelation since joining from Manchester United and must surely be odds-on favourite to start against Fulham. So, no hiding place for Coufal at present and barring an injury (heaven forbid) to Emerson it looks as if the substitute’s bench beckons for Vladimir for the forseeable future. Bearing in mind that his contract finishes in the summer of ’25 it may well be that we’re witnessing the Autumn of his Hammers career.
I am going to assume until told otherwise that this was a serious post, and that being the case all I have to say is What a load of absolute drivel! Yes, I agree with your sentiments about Coufal being a hard grafter and an overall nice guy, and a credit to West Ham, but from the thinly disguised headline to AWB breathing down his neck, you make it sound like it is close? It is not and hasn’t been since AWB signed his contract. Coufal is no longer at the level required for WHU and the PL. Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the other hand is in another league and barring injury, has no chance of losing his place at left back to anyone else on WH books. “Must be odds on favourite to start against Fulham”, you think?
i think you’ll find that Wan-Bissaka plays on the right. you know…where Coufal has also been playing. Emerson might think it’s getting crowded out there on the left. 😒
You’re right, my mistake, thanks for the correction.
Blimey , check yr post before sending. The game isn’t at London Stadium it at Craven Cottage!!
I disagree with Ray, i think Vlad still has something to offer us, although certainly AWB is number 1 now. Vlad isn’t the quickest at the back and therefore struggles against pace and trickery (remember Doku last season?) but i still rate him going forward. Very few full backs are the ‘complete’ player, i.e great at defending and great going forward as well as being the ideal with the ball at their feet. Vlad is still a decent option from the bench or against weaker opposition in the Premier League.