I must admit, I didn’t initially rate Tomas Soucek’s chances of staying at West Ham once it became clear that Julen Lopetegui was set to be appointed as the Hammers’ new boss. After all, the former Real Madrid and Spanish national team coach had a reputation for possession-based, technical style of football—attributes that even Soucek’s biggest fans might not list as his strongest suit.
However, Soucek has a lot going for him: he’s strong, fearless, committed, and has a keen eye for goal. When inside the penalty box, his technique transforms from clumsy to clinical, as his highlight reel of goals will attest. Unfortunately, when positioned in central midfield, his shooting prowess doesn’t seem to translate into his passing game, and his turning speed can often resemble that of an oil tanker. Without sugar-coating it, Soucek is every inch a David Moyes player.
Lopetegui liked what he saw from Soucek
I was likely among the first to write off the big midfielder’s chances under the new regime. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong, as evidenced in the Premier League’s opening defeat to Aston Villa. In many respects, it was vintage Soucek on display that day—not the Moyes 2.0 holding midfielder version, either. The big man was deployed up front, frequently ahead of Hammers striker Michail Antonio. It would be fair to say that Tomas was West Ham’s biggest goal threat by some distance, and the fact that he played 90 minutes under Lopetegui is telling.
I’ve now come to the conclusion that not only will Soucek remain at West Ham, but he will also become a trusted lieutenant under the Hammers’ new boss. He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and he certainly won’t be threatening Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League’s best playmaker anytime soon. However, Soucek looks set for an extended stay at the London Stadium, and I can’t help but admire a player with such incredible durability.
I was likely among the first to write off the big midfielder’s chances under the new regime. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong, as evidenced in the Premier League’s opening defeat to Aston Villa. In many respects, it was vintage Soucek on display that day—not the Moyes 2.0 holding midfielder version, either. The big man was deployed up front, frequently ahead of Hammers striker Michail Antonio. It would be fair to say that Tomas was West Ham’s biggest goal threat by some distance, and the fact that he played 90 minutes under Lopetegui is telling.
I’ve now come to the conclusion that not only will Soucek remain at West Ham, but he will also become a trusted lieutenant under the Hammers’ new boss. He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and he certainly won’t be threatening Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League’s best playmaker anytime soon. However, Soucek looks set for an extended stay at the London Stadium, and I can’t help but admire a player with such incredible durability.
I hope that I’m not grasping at straws but my thinking is that Lopetegui should be talking him up if he’s in the shop window.
I can’t see how he can install his systems of play if his man in the middle lacks passing ability. I know there’s plenty of us that love Tomas as I have but everything and everyone has their day, and Tomas has had his. Add to this Tomas is 29 this is pretty much the last opportunity to make a few bob on him at a time when a few bob has been spent or earmarked for next year.
It’s interesting that Soucheks biggest critics seem to be the same fans that were also the biggest Moyes critics. They saw Souchek right from the start I think as Moyes man, one of the players Moyes bought in to change our fortunes and steer us away from relegation that first season. At the time they called Souchek the new Fellaini as a kind of put down on Moyes style of play. Fellaini was a hugely successful footballer though scored lots of vital goals, as does Souchek.
I think that was because of h the position he played, his height and his habit of scoring with his head. I don’t think it was a put down and I am not even sure Moyes had anything to do with signing him.
Anyway, I would not be at all surprised if this opinion piece masquerading as Lopetegui informed expose is wrong.
I’m guessing you mean Soucek. Getting his name right makes us believe you’ve seen him play. The new manager wants a possession based system. You won’t get that with a player who makes 15 passes and 66% accuracy. Tomas has been great for the club, and if he wants to stay and fight for a place, fair enough. But with Alvarez fit, and Soler likely to join, he will be well down the pecking order.
Hahaha had to laugh at your line there,when inside the penalty box his technique transforms from clumsy to clinical 🤣 did you actually watch the Villa game ?
I dont have anything derogatory to say about Soucek,he is a committed Professional who gives his all and is great for defending and attacking set pieces and has been a great servant to this club but his time is coming to an end.
I have to disagree with your article here,I don’t believe he will be a permanent fixture in this new Lopetegui era,every player has there shelf life at a club and his is nearly over,just like Antonio if they remain at the club after the transfer window closes they will be nothing more than squad players.
Like i said at the beginning ive nothing against Soucek but im looking forward to watching a Soucek,Antonio, Coufal free West Ham to move this club forward……it’s still exciting times ahead, just everybody be patient as it’s not going to happen overnight…COYI
Soucek is an odd one. As good as another centre back at set pieces, and good in the air offensively too. A good finisher with a knack of arriving in the box at just the right time. Very strong where he’s strong.
But where he’s not strong he really isn’t strong. Not a rounded player at all.
Can Lopetegui use that ? I’m sure he’ll consider it as the strengths can make a difference provided that the weaknesses don’t too.
I thought he was our best player on Saturday on overall performance. Yes, I’m a massive fan, but when he’s not at his best I will say so.
I watch all his games for his national team and he’s a completely different player for them. More mobile, gets around the pitch and is always looking for a goal.
He loves our club, works his nuts off every match, and he showed JLo, along with Coufal (who did run out of steam later on), that he’s one of the Moyes players who deserves to stay at the club.
I’m sure Saturday was a chance for players to show they were worth keeping. Several failed and will be hard to sell
Bowen had a poor game but he’s not going to have many like that. Kudus wasn’t at it and Pac was a waste of space. Oh how I wish we could get rid of him. He doesn’t give a sh*t about our club and was so willing to go last year and this if your rumors are true.
If our players want to be in the first team then they’re going to have to work much harder than most did on Saturday or they will lose their places to the new signings.
If it does carry on like this then we are no better off than before. Let’s wait and see but I would be gutted if Tomas went. He should be captain as he can handle it, not sure Bowen can.
15 passes, 66% pass completion, and 2 glaring misses. Our best player ? You must’ve been at the popcorn stand when Kilman and Kudus had the ball
He was at fault for both goals 1st 1 poor pass gave a needless corner away 2nd he was lazy and didnt stay with his man and then missed a sitter and you think he was our best player give over
You really didnt watch if you think Kudus wasnt at it he was our best player
No not in a million years, misplaced his header after a defensive mistake to give away the corner for the opening goal and Soucek, Coufal and Antonio should be nowhere near our starting 11. How many times did Villa just carve open our midfield and advance right through to our penalty box without even a challenge, remind you of last season anyone? As for playing a high pressing game did anyone actually tell Antonio etc. who just stood there and did absolutely nothing. Willing to give J-Lo time to integrate the new signings and for his team to learn new patterns of play but essentially playing the same starting 11 who conceded 74 goals last season was never going to end well.
Sorry guys but I just don’t get the ongoing support for Soucek. Forget he is a lovely fella who gives his all to the cause and is very brave not afraid to put his head into flying boots -but and here’s the thing – he is an awful player by Premiership standards – period. His first touch is terrible, the word slow doesn’t do him justice, he gets caught in possession, he is very clumsy giving away lots of free kicks, & he is actually not that good in front of goal – see putting it over the bar from 3 yards on Saturday – the fact that nobody wanted him when his Agent hawked him all round Europe must say something – please never play again
Well said i agree with everything you said
His first contribution against Villa was a woeful shank under no pressure which gave away the corner they scored from. His last was an equally woeful attempt to score the equaliser. In between he made a full contribution to a midfield which was walked through time and again.
He cannot be part of our future. He will always have our respect for exactly the reasons you describe, but we are not that team now and he needs upgrading.
To be fair, IF he stays and remains a first choice starter, Lopetegui and Steidten have failed. Add the striker situation (relying on Antonio) and they are two positions that should have been addressed. I’m not knocking Fullkrug here as he needs to now start games and prove himself.
Maybe if Alvarez hadn’t been injured we wouldn’t see Soucek but as he’s out for some time, we could be stuck with Tommy and that’s a huge negative
Ain’t he vice captain, Bowen handed him the arm band when he was subbed off. Surely that means something on Soucek’s future
No Cresswell is vice captain
Soucek has been great for West Ham despite the odd own goal numerous times he has been as valuable in defence as he is in attack, he wins so many balls in midfield also that with better players around him and a bit more control of play his slower first touch can be mitigated and as long as he has a player coming short for the ball he can give it and go, doing for us what Onana did for Villa. I suspect if we do sign Soler he will be an impact sub in many games but in games against the better possession sides I would think he will be preferred over Soler because of his defensive output, Soler isn’t great without the ball according to his stats but offensively is one of the best.
Haha if you think Soler is going to come in as an impact sub and Soucek will start infront of him you really have no idea about football
I sometimes tire of all the speculation. Come September 1 we will have a better idea who the first team will be. I am hopeful that all the new arrivals will work out, but if 5 or 6 of them do it will be about what we should expect. From the evidence of the last game, Summerville did not look to be very quick – I hope I am wrong and he isn’t another Benrahma. Does anyone know how quick he is or isn’t based on measurement or evidence from the practice ground?
If JLo is going to have Soucek as a key player in the new style west ham team … His stay in London will not last long Soucek is a squad player at best