Soucek replacement
Reports from Brazil suggest that West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are showing interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre. The versatile player can be deployed in multiple positions and is understood to have been scouted by Hammers staff in Brazil.
Andre has proven himself as a dependable performer in the heart of the park for the Brazilian club over the last couple of seasons. The 22-year-old has already accumulated 161 senior appearances with his current team, contributing four goals and three assists across various competitions.
The box to box midfielder has a long contract at Fluminense but it is believed an offer of £20 would secure his services.
Andre could be a Soucek replacement
Recent matches have highlighted West Ham’s midfield deficiencies. When David Moyes’ side was without Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez in the game against Brentford, the midfield struggled to function. Some have suggested recalling Flynn Downes from his loan at Southampton, but there is no provision for early termination of the agreement.
Andre excels as a ball-winning midfielder, demonstrating his ability to make crucial interceptions in the middle of the park. He doesn’t shy away from clearing danger when the opposition is on the offensive, and he possesses the vision to create promising chances in the final third.
Andre is good on the ball and carries the ball incredibly well. Whilst primarily a defensive midfielder, he can also play a box-to-box role or even operate as a centre-back if required.
Liverpool and Fulham have also been linked with the player.
Whilst I’m an advocate for replacing Soucek in midfield, I think citing the Brentford game to highlight our midfield deficiencies is a little harsh. We played with two in the middle, against their three, which is a radical change to the norm.
Soucek seems like a great guy and I want him to do well, but this deficiency is not just ‘recent games’ – it’s the last 2 years. Look back, watch him closely – how often play passes him by, or how slow he is to mobilise, or how his touch and passing are woeful. He scores important goals with his head though, and everyone forgets the bread and butter that often results in us playing like we have 10 men.
Just. Watch. Him.
I agree with buddy, very slow, bad touch and passing is awful from soucek.
If im honest, i think hes not a very good football player with the ball at his feet.
Probably only a threat at corners and set pieces, why moyes insists on playing him is baffling, if we can sell him in jan and replace him with a better passer of the ball, it will be a big step forward.
In his defence, i can see his game has improved slightly since rice left, enabling him to get forward more, but still gives the ball away, albeit in less dangerous areas.
We are a team that wins without the ball, all our wins are with less possession than the opposition, maybe thats why moyes plays him.