West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo was keen as mustard to welcome midfielder Tomáš Souček back into the fold following a three-month injury layoff. Big Sou was ruled out of action for Czechia following an ankle ligament injury sustained at the World Cup and has been steadily working his way towards a Hammers return.
The 31-year-old is highly regarded by Espírito Santo, as was demonstrated last season during West Ham’s relegation run-in. Claret & Hugh exclusively revealed this week that Souček is in talks with the club over a new deal, and everything would appear to be hunky-dory between the player and his manager.
Nuno certainly sounded delighted to have him back when speaking to reporters ahead of Friday night’s Championship clash with QPR. However, before anyone gets too carried away about Souček walking straight back into the starting XI, there is a massive roadblock standing in his way, and his name is Arne Engels.
Nuno delighted with Souček return
“Tomáš is doing well. He was out for a long period, but he’s had a good rehabilitation and he’s been training well,” said Nuno.
“It was good to see him play – and score – against Wycombe, because we’re going to need him and the rest of the squad during the season.”
The midfielder played 65 minutes and scored from the penalty spot in West Ham’s 2-0 behind-closed-doors victory over Wycombe Wanderers, marking an important step towards full fitness.
Mukasa and Engels will be hard to shift from West Ham’s midfield
West Ham have found another Duracell midfielder
Ever since Souček joined from Slavia Prague, West Ham fans and statisticians have marvelled at the midfielder’s work rate and ability to cover vast areas of the pitch, clocking up the miles without seemingly getting knackered at all.
Sure, there were other attributes, like his uncanny knack for scoring goals and never-say-die attitude, but in terms of pure work rate, Souček would have been the first name on the team sheet.
For a couple of seasons at least, it was Big Sou and Pablo Fornals who would often swap places at the top of the leaderboard for distance covered during Premier League matches.
But now West Ham appear to have signed somebody in Engels who is able to match that output.
The £22 million summer signing from Celtic covers an extraordinary number of kilometres during an average football match and appears to be blessed with exactly the kind of engine possessed by Souček.
In fact, it was revealed by recruitment director Nils Koppen that he had been instructed by Nuno to source precisely that type of Duracell performer in central midfield.
Where does Souček fit into Nuno’s team?
I might be wrong, but I struggle to see the pair of them forming a midfield partnership in a 4-4-2, although I think we’ll see it if the gaffer switches to one striker and three midfielders.
And that is the dilemma facing Nuno. He clearly rates Souček, but Engels has quickly established himself as an important part of the team and offers many of the same qualities that made Big Sou so valuable in the first place.
As much as I love Souček, I’m really struggling to see where he fits into Nuno Espírito Santo’s current line-up.
The team sheet against QPR tomorrow night will be telling.
They will all be needed given the intensity of games, knocks and suspensions will kick in. It’s a long haul.
Tomas will play a very important part in our Championship winning side this season. He does not have to play every game or even be man of the match all of the time. There is enough talent and drive in our squad to produce terrific performances all over the pitch.
There will be big contributions from Tomas the Tanc. Super Soucek.
I don’t see it as Souchek v Arnie Engels or even Divine Mukasa. I see it as Souchek v Kante. I woukd play both Souchek or Kante further forward in an attacking midfield role If and when we play three in the middle. In that situation Kante can come on as sub for Souchek or Souchek can come in as sub for Kante at some point in the second half.
I think it’s too early to put Tomas back into the team, but when he is up to speed he could free up Mukasa and Engles by sweeping up behind them as they push forward.
Our midfield needs to have mobility and Engels kante and mukasa are young energetic players! Soucek has his place as an impact sub as he’s too slow and can’t play more than 45 mins before he’s exhausted!
Are you kidding. Souchek is one of the fittest players we’ve got. He puts in more miles during a game than anyone else.