Frank McAvennie suggests Soucek should be among West Ham top earners
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 claims Tomas Soucek should be made one of the top earners at West Ham because he’s “one of the top players”.
Earlier this month, Football Insider reported that the Hammers are set to offer Soucek, 26, a new contract before the end of the season amid a series of impressive displays in the Premier League.
Soucek is reportedly not a high earner at the London Stadium as it stands but the Czech international has been invaluable to David Moyes’ side this season with eight goals in 28 top-flight appearances.
According to stats by Wyscout, Soucek has won more aerial duels than any other player in the Premier League this season [296]. He ranks fourth for aerial duels in his own penalty area [35] and joint-third for goals from corners [3].
Soucek has emerged as a solid fan favourite among West Ham supporters since his arrival at the London Stadium last January and McAvennie believes he would be worth his weight in gold if he’s offered a big new contract at the club.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “He’s one of the top players so why shouldn’t he be a top earner?
“For me, he’s everything you want in a player. He loves to get forward to score goals but he can tackle. He’s won the most balls in the air in the Premier League so the stats are there for all to see and, unfortunately, football is all about stats now.
“Taking that away and looking at the bigger picture, he’s a wonderful footballer. Without looking at stats he’s just a good player and the boys seem to like him, they’re all having a laugh with him.
“There’s a good camaraderie they’ve got now.”
Soucek has played a major role in West Ham’s successful Premier League season so far with the Irons among the contenders to qualify for Champions League football next term.
While Moyes’ side is fifth in the table, they do have a game in hand, which will be played against Arsenal at the London Stadium on Sunday.
If the Hammers win that, they will go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea going into the final nine matches of the season.
There are some tough fixtures on the horizon for the Irons but if Soucek is able to keep up the form he’s shown for most of this season, there’s every chance East London will have a representative on Europe’s biggest stage in 2021/22.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are eyeing up Rochdale teenager Kwadwo Baah.