David Moyes to have real problem at West Ham United if Tomas Soucek isn’t axed – expert
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes David Moyes is going to have a “headache” with West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek.
The pundit has suggested that the Czech Republic international needs some time out of the team, as he has not been as “influential” as he once was.
McAvennie added that the likes of Lucas Paqueta, James Ward-Prowse Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma and Mohammed Kudus all deserve to be in the starting XI ahead of Soucek.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Moyes keeps playing Soucek, who is a good player, don’t get me wrong, but I think Moyes is going to have a problem if he keeps playing him.
“Because you can’t keep Kudus out of the team now, then you’ve got Paqueta, Bowen, Benrahma, Ward-Prowse, all these midfield players. All these good players are better than just counter-attacking.
“Moyes is going to have a headache. For me, all of those players should be playing before Soucek. I’m not saying he’s not a good player, but he’s got to take a step back and get back on form again. He’s shown little flashes of what he can do, but he’s not been influential the way he was.”
Soucek, who arrived in East London from Slavia Prague in 2020, has made 170 appearances in claret and blue. A total of 15 of those appearances have come this season, but his future remains up in the air given his contract expires this summer.
And according to Corriere dello Sport (11 October), Inter Milan want to sign him on a free transfer, while Juventus are readying a low-ball offer for his services [Calciomercato, 18 October].
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are waiting in line to sign a Serie A star, with a summer transfer on the cards for the player.