McAvennie urges West Ham to offer improved contract to Soucek
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 has urged West Ham to get Tomas Soucek tied down to a new and improved contract at the London Stadium.
Soucek, 26, has been one of the stand-out performers for the Irons this season, scoring nine goals in 29 Premier League appearances for the East London club.
Last week, ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara said on talkSPORT that West Ham could struggle to keep Soucek ahead of next season, claiming the Czech international would “walk into” the Manchester United team.
McAvennie isn’t having it though and doesn’t believe any of the top Premier League teams would be able to offer Soucek the level of game-time he’s had at West Ham this season.
“Soucek’s got to get the money he’s due because he’s on one of the lowest contracts at the club from what I hear,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone in an exclusive interview.
“I heard Jamie O’Hara say on talkSPORT that they’ll do well to hold onto him but who’s he going to go to? All the big clubs have got players in that position, he’s not going to walk into their teams and he’s happy at West Ham. He’s very happy.
“Arsenal are no bigger than West Ham so I think West Ham are in a position where they can offer him the money and keep him there.
“He’s got his pal over, [Vladimir] Coufal. It’s good that they can do that.”
West Ham have performed above and beyond expectations this season and there is bound to be speculation linking David Moyes’ players with moves away in the summer transfer window.
While we hate to see it, at the end of the day, it’s part and parcel of being a successful football club.
Soucek has been one of the best players for us this season so most well-run clubs would be taking a look at the Czech Republic international.
Based on stats by Wyscout, Soucek has been a monster in the air for the Irons in the Premier League this season with no player being involved in more aerial duels than him [306]. Only two players have scored more goals at corners than Soucek this term too [3].
Soucek is a superb player and we did incredibly well to sign him as he was relatively unknown at Slavia Prague before heading to East London last January.
Let’s hope Moyes can unearth more gems like Soucek in the future but let’s also hope we can keep hold of him.
If that means offering him a new and improved pay package then so be it.
In other West Ham news, our panel of Super Fans want Pablo Fornals to start against Wolves.