Flynn Downes set for West Ham United chance, he is better than Tomas Soucek
Frank McAvennie has told Julen Lopetegui to give “West Ham United man” Flynn Downes a chance in the first team next season.
Downes spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Southampton, helping them win promotion back to the Premier League via the playoffs.
And McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – believes the Englishman is “a better player than Tomas Soucek” and should be used in 2024/25.
“I think they’ll bring Downes back from Southampton – I’ve just got a feeling. He’s done the right thing, he’s [gone] away and got the experience, he’s [played] every week for Southampton,” he said.
“I think he’s a better player than Soucek, so I’d put him in. I’d bring him back and put him in and say, ‘Sorry, Southampton, but he’s a West Ham man.’ His dad’s a big West Ham fan, his family [too].
“We’ll wait and see. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll find out if he’s coming back to [the club]. I think he’s a good player in midfield.”
Will Flynn Downes get his chance at West Ham United?
Hammers fans will hope that Downes is given the opportunity to impress new head coach Lopetegui before any decision is made over his future.
Given how impressively he performed for Southampton, it would be little surprise if they pursued a permanent move – but the traits he displayed at the base of the Saints’ midfield seem, on paper at least, to be a good fit for the brand of high-possession football Lopetegui is expected to implement at the London Stadium.
Soucek, meanwhile, looks to be an awkward stylistic fit and moving him on to make room for Downes could prove a savvy decision.
In other West Ham news, the Brazilian FA have made a call on Lucas Paqueta.
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